In late October and early November 2025, the U.S. Navy has significantly increased its military presence in the Caribbean, marking the largest naval operation in the region since 1965. This buildup includes advanced warships such as the USS Iwo Jima and USS Fort Lauderdale, alongside intensified strikes against suspected drug-smuggling vessels, leading to numerous fatalities among cartel operatives. The Pentagon’s designation of certain groups as terrorist organizations underlines the strategic importance of these operations in countering drug trafficking networks from Venezuela to Mexico. These developments reflect a robust U.S. commitment to a multi-domain counter-narcotics strategy, with implications for national security and regional stability, as the U.S. prepares for potential ground operations against Mexican drug cartels.