The new Joint Task Force of the II MEF: Anti-narcotics or strategic pressure on Venezuela?

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By Arnaldo Laborde Williams, translated from the Spanish

The creation of a new Joint Task Force (JTF) under the II Marine Expeditionary Force (II MEF) by the U.S. Southern Command has set off alarms in diplomatic and military circles in Latin America.

While officially its mission is to bolster counternarcotics efforts in the Western Hemisphere, its deployment in the Caribbean and its operational structure suggest a much broader capability: a strategic pressure tool with Venezuela in the crosshairs.

More than an anti-drug mission

The JTF is not a conventional unit. It is designed for joint, rapid and multi-domain operations, with air, sea and land capabilities. Its activation in the context of growing tension with Caracas — accused by Washington of facilitating drug trafficking and harboring transnational criminal networks — raises questions about its true purpose.

While no direct action against Venezuela has been declared, the Southern Command's operational history and the concept of "deterrent presence" suggest that this move can be seen as a form of indirect military pressure.

The geographic closeness, increased patrols, and interoperability with allied forces in Colombia, Guyana, and the Caribbean establish an operational encirclement that may restrict the Venezuelan government's maneuverability.

Escalation risks

Border incidents: The rise in reconnaissance flights and naval patrols close to Venezuelan air and sea space heightens the risk of unintended encounters, particularly if they are seen as provocations.

Covert operations: The JTF could aid intelligence operations or assist internal opposition forces under the guise of combating drug trafficking.

Displacement of criminal routes: By exerting pressure on traditional routes, criminal groups might seek refuge in more susceptible areas of the Caribbean, leading to instability in nations like Trinidad and Tobago, Dominica, or Haiti.

Deterrence or covert intervention?

Caracas has officially denounced a "militarization of the Caribbean" for political purposes. Regional analysts warn that, while there are no signs of direct intervention, the deployment of an expeditionary force with offensive capacity in the region represents a latent threat. Recent history—from Panama in 1989 to operations in Colombia—demonstrates that joint forces can be used as platforms for rapid action when the situation permits.

Conclusion

The activation of the JTF under II MEF marks a turning point in the hemispheric strategy of the United States. Although it is presented as a tool to combat drug trafficking, its structure, location and political context suggest that it also functions as a form of geopolitical pressure.

For Venezuela, it represents a strategic challenge that could alter its defensive posture and foreign policy. For the rest of the Caribbean, it serves as a warning about the risks of being caught in a new dynamic of regional confrontation.

This work was translated and shared via a License CC-BY-NC