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By Ryan Chan
China News Reporter
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The United States is reinforcing its military presence in the Caribbean amid rising tensions with Venezuela, as a Marine Corps unit conducts a "realistic" training exercise in the region.
The North Carolina-based 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, capable of rapid response to protect America's national security interests, said the training event in southern Puerto Rico aims to enhance regional security, disaster response capabilities, and capacity building.
Newsweek has contacted Venezuela's Embassy in Beijing, China, for comment via email.
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Why It Matters
The Pentagon has recently deployed several naval vessels—including destroyers, a nuclear-powered submarine, and amphibious ships capable of projecting forces from sea to shore—in the Caribbean as the Trump administration steps up its counter-narcotics operations.
In response to the U.S. military presence, Venezuela has mobilized forces along its coastline. President Nicolás Maduro, for whom the U.S. has offered a $50 million reward for arrest, said the country is at maximum readiness to defend against what he called a "bloody threat."
What To Know
The 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit announced that it commenced amphibious training and flight operations in Puerto Rico—a U.S. island territory in the Caribbean Sea—on Sunday.
"The challenging terrain and tropical climate of Puerto Rico provides an ideal environment for the [22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit] to conduct realistic amphibious training and hone specialized skills," the unit said, noting that this ensures "a high level of readiness."
The 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit is operating with the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima, along with the amphibious transport dock ships USS San Antonio and USS Fort Lauderdale. This amphibious ready group deployed from the U.S. East Coast on August 14.
Citing a defense official, The Associated Press reported that three amphibious ships—carrying over 4,000 sailors and Marines—are expected to be in the Caribbean this week.
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This specialized Navy-Marine Corps team is ready to serve as the nation's force of choice, said Colonel Tom Trimble, the commanding officer of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit.
"We are warfighters; manned, trained, and equipped to win; anywhere, anytime," he added.
Photos released by the Navy show that the Iwo Jima—the flagship of the amphibious ready group—is equipped with AV-8B attack aircraft, MV-22B tilt-rotor transport aircraft, and AH-1Z attack helicopters, as well as landing craft air cushions for amphibious operations.
What People Are Saying
The U.S. 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit said in a press release on Saturday: "This training is designed to enhance the [22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit]'s readiness and capabilities, while also fostering stronger relationships with the Puerto Rican National Guard."
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro said at a press conference on Monday: "President Donald Trump, the pursuit of regime change is exhausted; it has failed as a policy worldwide … You cannot pretend to impose a situation in Venezuela."
What Happens Next
It remains unclear whether the U.S. military will deploy additional units to the Caribbean in the coming days as part of Trump administration's effort to increase pressure on Venezuela.
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