Can Everyone in the Caribbean Just Chill for a While?
...the world is busy, if you didn't notice
The US Navy is deploying to the Caribbean? Been there, done that, came back disappointed. We’ve been doing these deployments since before we were even a nation, so pardon me if this didn’t raise too much of an eyebrow.
The United States has ordered an amphibious squadron to the southern Caribbean as part of President Donald Trump's effort to address threats from Latin American drug cartels, two sources briefed on the deployment said on Wednesday.
The sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that the USS San Antonio, USS Iowa Jima and USS Fort Lauderdale could arrive off the coast of Venezuela as early as Sunday. The ships are carrying 4,500 service members, including 2,200 Marines, the sources said.
At the end of last week, I saw a few breathless comments about this, but considered it just background noise.
Since he took office seven months ago, sending the Navy to go after drug cartels has been a thing, so … shrug.
What would one do with 2,200 Marines in the Caribbean besides beef-up a shore patrol? IDK. It isn’t like this is related to Tren de Aragua or anything…and again, we’ve been chasing drug runners in the Caribbean for decades. I spent a year of my life mowing that ocean in the 1990s.
Then this showed up in my feed about the same time,
The United States is deploying three Aegis guided-missile destroyers to the waters off Venezuela as part of President Donald Trump's effort to combat threats from Latin American drug cartels, according to a U.S. official briefed on the planning.
The USS Gravely, the USS Jason Dunham and the USS Sampson are expected to arrive soon…
A half-dozen ships? OK, now you have my attention.
Oh, and we have a LCS and a SSN in the area too?
Well, then Saturday came around. Who had Trinidad and Tobago on their Bingo Card?
If you wonder how Guyana got wedged in on the topic, review the Guyana–Venezuela crisis (2023–2024). It was fun and all, but everyone is quite glad that is over…we think.
Yes, let’s go to the chart room. Easy to see why T&T are concerned.
The light green is what everyone is making a fuss over.
…since the mid 1800s.
Can everyone just chill? The international arena only has so much bandwidth…but…even China has to make a comment.
Venezuela has a population of over 30 million. It is one-third again larger than Texas. A few thousand US Marines can do a lot, but they are not doing that.
Show the flag, make a point, go home. That is where the smart bet is, and that’s what I’ll hope for.
Then again, the socialist autocrats in Venezuela could do something stupid.
Bleh.
There is no reason to worry about war with Venezuela, because, according to my own experience, all the people from Venezuela now live in Miami. :)
For months a JOINT base in Guyana would be a great idea. Bracketing the Caribbean with JOINT bases is a good idea. Guyana could sure use the help, and SECSTATE has already signed a mutual support agreements with them.
Several recent mutual support and defense cooperation agreements exist between Guyana and the United States, including a key Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in March 2025. The cooperation focuses on addressing regional security challenges, strengthening Guyana's military, and helping protect the nation's territorial integrity against external threats. [1, 2, 3, 4]
Key agreements with the United StatesDefense and Security Cooperation Agreement (2021) In January 2021, the U.S. and Guyana signed a formal Defense and Cooperation Agreement. This established a formal basis for the exchange of services between the two militaries, enhancing the professionalism of the Guyana Defense Force (GDF). This agreement has also led to joint patrols to combat illegal fishing and transnational crime. [1, 3, 5]
Security Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (2025) Signed in March 2025, this MoU deepens cooperation in several security areas:
• Countering transnational crime: Joint efforts target narcotics trafficking, human trafficking, money laundering, and other forms of smuggling.
• Military-to-military cooperation: Collaboration is strengthened through training, information sharing, and joint exercises. [1, 2, 6, 7]
Bilateral military exercises The U.S. and Guyana regularly conduct joint training exercises to enhance the GDF's capabilities and military readiness:
• Specialized training: The U.S. Army's 1st Security Force Assistance Brigade (SFAB) has provided training on modern security techniques to the GDF.
• Regional exercises: Guyana regularly hosts or participates in U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) led exercises, such as TRADEWINDS. [8, 9, 10, 11, 12]
Cooperation with the United Kingdom In April 2025, Guyana signed a defense cooperation MoU with the United Kingdom. This agreement seeks to enhance collaboration on areas such as:
• Training
• Information sharing
• Cybersecurity
• Defense acquisition [13]
Context of security cooperation The expansion of mutual support agreements with the U.S. and UK is a response to several factors, particularly rising tensions with Venezuela over the Essequibo region:
• Territorial dispute: Following Venezuela's December 2023 referendum on annexing the resource-rich Essequibo region, the U.S. and other partners have increased security support for Guyana.
• Military aid: This support has included U.S. military surveillance overflights, military advisers on the ground, and aid for Guyana to purchase new military equipment.
• Growing economy: As Guyana's oil production rapidly increases, security cooperation also serves to protect its energy interests and ensure regional stability. [15, 16, 17, 18]
[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuUqBs_SlS8[2] https://vocesdelsur.prensa-latina.cu/guyana-us-deepen-security-cooperation-advance-plans-for-mutual-prosperity/[3] https://en.mercopress.com/2021/01/14/guyana-and-united-states-sign-defense-and-cooperation-agreement[4] https://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/2025/03/28/guyana-and-us-sign-pact-to-strengthen-cooperation-address-regional-challenges/[5] https://en.mercopress.com/2021/01/14/guyana-and-united-states-sign-defense-and-cooperation-agreement[6] https://magneticmediatv.com/2025/03/guyana-us-ink-mou-to-deepen-security-cooperation-address-regional-challenges/[7] https://barbadostoday.bb/2025/02/09/guyana-united-states-to-deepen-partnership-aimed-at-boosting-security/[8] https://gy.usembassy.gov/u-s-army-guyana-defence-forces-strengthen-military-partnership/[9] https://www.southcom.mil/MEDIA/NEWS-ARTICLES/Tag/136526/guyana/[10] https://gdf.mil.gy/u-s-army-guyana-defence-forces-conduct-training-exercise/[11] https://www.southcom.mil/MEDIA/NEWS-ARTICLES/Article/4001004/caribbean-security-leaders-meet-in-trinidad-and-tobago-to-discuss-cooperation/[12] https://caribbeannewsglobal.com/symbolic-of-our-enduring-partnership-and-shared-values/[13] https://www.guardian.co.tt/news/guyana-uk-sign-agreement-for-defence-cooperation-6.2.2280275.c14a2355c8[14] https://apnews.com/article/guyana-us-military-assistance-venezuela-essequibo-8765aa50e4ff5e6e0af61bb527389c0f[15] https://orinocotribune.com/united-states-is-converting-guyana-into-a-military-enclave/[16] https://apnews.com/article/guyana-us-military-assistance-venezuela-essequibo-8765aa50e4ff5e6e0af61bb527389c0f[17] https://dpi.gov.gy/us-guyana-security-cooperation-is-stronger-than-ever-foreign-secretary/[18] https://2021-2025.state.gov/u-s-relations-with-guyana/