U.S. Marines Conduct Amphibious Exercises in Southern Puerto Rico

U.S. Marines and Sailors from the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (22nd MEU) have commenced amphibious landing exercises in Southern Puerto Rico, approximately 500 miles north of Venezuela. This operation is part of a broader U.S. Navy task force initiative aimed at combating narco-terrorism in the Southern Caribbean Sea.

The 22nd MEU is deployed alongside the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, which includes the USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7), USS Fort Lauderdale (LPD-28), and USS San Antonio (LPD-17). The task force"s operations escalated recently, launching its first kinetic strike against a vessel associated with the Tren de Aragua cartel off the Venezuelan coast.

This military exercise comes amid heightened concerns over drug trafficking and organized crime in Latin America. The U.S. has intensified its maritime presence in the region, responding to threats posed by criminal organizations that have increasingly engaged in violent confrontations and trafficking activities.

The ongoing exercises are expected to enhance the operational readiness of U.S. forces while simultaneously sending a clear message to narcotics traffickers. As previously reported, similar situations have prompted international responses to address security challenges in the region.