The visit by Gen. Dan Caine to Puerto Rico in late November came as the United States continued expanding its presence across the Caribbean, a region that has grown more central to U.S. security planning as tensions with Venezuela have intensified. According to Pentagon statements reported at the time, Caine traveled to meet service members stationed on the island and sailors operating offshore, acknowledging their role in ongoing missions across the Caribbean and Latin America.

The Defense Department had already deployed additional naval assets to the region earlier in the fall, including the USS Gerald Ford, as part of a broader effort to counter narcotics networks operating from Venezuela and neighboring areas. Operations since September targeted vessels tied to designated terrorist organizations, resulting in multiple lethal strikes against alleged trafficking boats in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific. These actions formed part of Operation Southern Spear, an initiative announced by the Secretary of War to dismantle narco-terror networks across the hemisphere.

At the same time, U.S. political and military leadership signaled concern about the situation in Venezuela itself, where the Trump administration maintained a policy of sustained pressure on President Nicolás Maduro. Reports from Military Times noted that senior U.S. officials viewed the naval buildup and strike campaign partly as leverage, while leaving open a range of potential next steps.

Within this environment, Caine’s presence in Puerto Rico underscored a growing emphasis on readiness and forward posture in the Caribbean. The island’s strategic location has made it a focal point for joint-service coordination, maritime interdiction, and logistics support as regional dynamics continue to shift.

Rising tensions with Venezuela

The security situation around Venezuela has contributed to increased U.S. military attention in waters surrounding Puerto Rico and wider Caribbean approaches. Beginning in early September, U.S. forces carried out a series of operations targeting vessels affiliated with criminal or militant groups, including organizations linked to Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua gang and Colombia’s ELN. Dozens of boats were destroyed, and U.S. officials estimated more than 80 suspected narco-terror affiliates had been killed during these actions.

These strikes took place alongside a parallel diplomatic and policy track focused on applying pressure to the Maduro government. Earlier in the year, the administration designated the Cartel de los Soles as a foreign terrorist organization, expanding authorities for U.S. agencies involved in counternarcotics and counterterrorism operations. Military Times reporting described the designation as part of a wider set of options under consideration, though officials stated that no single course of action had been confirmed.

The Venezuelan government sharply criticized U.S. operations in the region, particularly maritime strikes near its coastline. Colombian officials also lodged objections to at least one incident in which ELN-affiliated personnel were killed off their coast. Regional reactions reflected broader concerns about spillover effects from the U.S. presence and the possibility of renewed friction along maritime boundaries.

Despite these tensions, U.S. officials continued to describe the campaign as essential to disrupting trafficking routes responsible for moving narcotics toward the United States. Statements from senior leadership emphasized homeland defense and the objective of neutralizing groups accused of operating across Venezuelan and Colombian waters.

As the operations expanded, the Pentagon’s engagement with troops in Puerto Rico signaled Washington’s intent to maintain a heightened level of activity in the region. Caine’s visit occurred as this operational tempo remained elevated and as policymakers weighed the next phase of U.S. posture toward Caracas.

Gen. Caine’s role in the regional mission

Gen. Dan Caine’s position as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff has placed him at the center of planning and coordination for U.S. operations in the Caribbean. During his November visit, the Pentagon noted that he and Senior Enlisted Advisor David L. Isom were meeting with service members to thank them for their support to regional missions and to assess ongoing operational requirements.

Caine’s visit was his second to Puerto Rico since the buildup began. His previous trip in September occurred shortly after several U.S. Marine units arrived on the island for training tied to the broader regional posture. That earlier engagement included appearances by the Secretary of War, who addressed several hundred troops and reiterated the administration’s commitment to ensuring U.S. forces remain well-equipped for missions across the hemisphere.

Military Times reporting added further context, noting that Caine’s travel coincided with the deployment of advanced naval assets, including the nation’s most capable aircraft carrier, and discussions within Washington regarding additional measures toward Venezuela. The publication described his outreach to troops as part of a wider effort to maintain readiness as U.S. maritime operations continued.

The general’s role extends beyond ceremonial visits. As the principal military advisor to the president, Caine is responsible for assessing risks associated with regional escalation, advising on force posture decisions, and overseeing coordination among service branches operating across U.S. Southern Command’s area of responsibility. His presence in Puerto Rico reflected both the strategic location of the island and the administration’s focus on maritime interdiction activity in nearby waters.

While officials did not publicly outline future operational plans, the timing of Caine’s engagement with deployed forces suggested that the tempo of maritime operations—to include surveillance, interdiction, and potential follow-on strikes—would remain a priority.

Outlook for U.S.-Venezuela dynamics

The U.S. approach toward Venezuela at the time of Caine’s visit indicated an intensifying mix of diplomatic, economic, and military pressure. The maritime interdiction campaign, complemented by the designation of criminal networks as terrorist entities, signaled a U.S. strategy aimed at constraining the Maduro government’s access to trafficking routes and revenue streams.

However, analysts noted that broader regional implications remained uncertain. Caribbean nations have long balanced relations between Washington and Caracas, and large-scale U.S. deployments have historically sparked concern about potential escalation. The presence of the USS Gerald Ford and expanded naval operations added another layer to regional calculations.

Within the United States, defense officials continued emphasizing mission objectives tied to counternarcotics enforcement and homeland security. Statements released during Caine’s visit reiterated that the operations were intended to protect U.S. citizens by disrupting trafficking corridors long linked to organized criminal networks.

As tensions persisted, Caine’s engagement with troops in Puerto Rico underscored the sustained U.S. commitment to regional security missions. His visit also reflected the administration’s assessment that developments near Venezuela required ongoing attention from the highest levels of U.S. military leadership.