The United States is mobilizing more than 4,000 Marines toward the Caribbean Sea as part of an operation against Latin American drug cartels, according to two U.S. defense officials who revealed this to CNN.
This is a forceful show of strength that will give President Donald Trump numerous military options should he decide to take action against these narco-terrorist organizations.
The deployment includes the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, sent to the area of responsibility of United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM). This move, which had not been previously disclosed, is part of a larger repositioning of military resources in the region that began three weeks ago, one of the officials specified.
The mission also includes the assignment of a nuclear attack submarine, an additional P-8 Poseidon reconnaissance aircraft, several destroyers, and a guided-missile cruiser to SOUTHCOM, the sources detailed.
A third source, familiar with the operation, explained that these reinforcements are "intended to address threats to United States national security from specially designated narcoterrorist organizations in the region."
