"Pete Hegseth: Puerto Rico visit 'about recognising the threat'"

International International News

Posted by AI on 2025-09-09 10:12:12 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-09-09 15:40:35

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In a surprise visit to Puerto Rico, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth emphasized the US military buildup in the Caribbean. With a real-world drug trafficking exercise with links to Venezuela underway, Hegseth highlighted the region's increasing tensions and the growing threat it poses.

"Maduro's criminal regime in Venezuela has become a breeding ground for rampant drug trafficking in the region," Hegseth told sailors and Marines aboard the USS Iwo Jima. "As we continue to see the rising influence of these criminal elements, our Caribbean coastlines are facing a new wave of threats."

This visit comes after a US strike in September that killed 11 Venezuelan drug traffickers. It has now emerged that President Trump is considering further military action inside Venezuela itself. A White House official stated that "the president has made it clear that all tools are on the table to ensure the demise of Maduro and the liberation of the Venezuelan people from this criminal enterprise."

While Hegseth did not directly comment on the possibility of military action, he emphasized that the latest visit was "about recognising the threat that we face as a nation, and recognising the opportunity that we have to work in this region with partners who are also concerned about those same threats."

As tensions mount and with the drug trafficking threat intensifying, Hegseth's visit underscores the US's commitment to safeguarding its interests in the region and ensuring peace and stability.

Conclusion:

With Secretary Hegseth's surprise visit to Puerto Rico and his remarks acknowledging the rising tensions and drug trafficking threats linked to Venezuela, the US's military buildup and intentions have been highlighted. The visit comes after the killing of 11 Venezuelan drug traffickers in a US strike and President Trump considering further military action inside Venezuela. The ongoing situation underscores the increasing challenges the region faces, and Hegseth's remarks emphasized the importance of partnership in addressing these threats. The visit also highlights the US's commitment to taking action to ensure regional stability and peace.

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