Reference News Network, November 26 report - According to the German website "Der Spiegel", on November 24, the United States is establishing a deterrent force in the Caribbean: the Trump administration has deployed 12 to 15 warships, a large number of fighter jets and reconnaissance aircraft, a nuclear submarine, and at least 15,000 soldiers to the region.

On the 21st, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration issued a warning about Venezuela's airspace, and several airlines subsequently suspended flights to Venezuela. Since September, the U.S. military has launched more than 20 attacks on ships in the Caribbean Sea, resulting in at least 80 deaths.

All of this is under the guise of combating drug trafficking. However, experts believe there are other motives behind it, such as expanding the U.S. influence in Latin America and orchestrating a coup in Venezuela.

Currently, the United States is not only expanding its military presence at sea, but also taking some actions on land, such as renovating old military bases in the Caribbean region.

Regarding how many military bases the United States actually has in Latin America, the official data is not clear. Karla Alvarez, an expert on security issues in Ecuador, believes that about 10% of the U.S. global military facilities are located in Latin America.

Many military bases in Latin American countries have U.S. soldiers stationed there, and the U.S. can gain access rights to these facilities by funding them. Panama, Colombia, and Honduras have similar exchanges with the U.S., and there are also new military cooperation plans.

● Puerto Rico

The Roosevelt Road Naval Base in Puerto Rico, which was closed by the U.S. over 20 years ago, has recently shown signs of activity according to the latest photos and satellite images. An old runway may have been renovated between September and October this year.

Christopher Hernandez-Roy, Deputy Director of the Americas Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said that considering that Trump has focused his foreign policy on the Western Hemisphere, "reopening a large naval base and ensuring that it is suitable for various types of U.S. military aircraft is logical."

The Roosevelt Road Naval Base is approximately 800 kilometers away from Venezuela by straight line, and could be a strategic location for future military operations. It is reported that at least 10 F-35 fighters are currently deployed in Puerto Rico.

Recently, U.S. military equipment and aircraft have also appeared at the second largest civilian airport in Puerto Rico, Rafael Hernández Airport.

● Trinidad and Tobago

At the end of November, the Caribbean country Trinidad and Tobago, just 11 kilometers away from Venezuela, confirmed that the U.S. Navy will return to its territory. In recent days, the two governments held joint military exercises.

Trinidad and Tobago officials stated their support for the U.S. government's "drug combat operation."

● Panama

Since 1999, the U.S. no longer has permanent military bases in Panama, according to the treaty signed between the two countries, the U.S. military must leave Panama.

But just a few days ago, multiple media outlets reported that the two countries' armies conducted joint "jungle warfare training" at a base in Colón Province, Panama.

● Ecuador

Ecuador's right-wing president Daniel Noboa is an ally of Trump. Political scientist Luis Cordova-Alarcon said, "Noboa has always wanted to cater to American interests."

Just a week ago, Noboa organized a referendum in Ecuador to decide whether to allow foreign military bases to enter the country again. Although most people voted against it, experts believe that military cooperation with the U.S. will not be affected by this, but may even be strengthened.

Alvarez said, "Since 2019, Ecuador and the U.S. have been closely cooperating: intelligence exchange, technical assistance, maritime patrols, and air space monitoring. All of these do not require permanent military bases."

The U.S. has long hoped to enter the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador. Cordova-Alarcon said, "Despite the negative result of the referendum, it is still very likely to happen."

● El Salvador

El Salvador currently does not have any U.S. military bases, but in early November, several U.S. Air Force military aircraft were spotted at the Comalapa base in El Salvador.

According to The New York Times, one of them is a fighter jet capable of destroying ground or maritime targets with missiles, usually performing sensitive missions.

● Argentina

In the southern part of Argentina, President Javier Milei has approved the entry of U.S. forces into the country.

The two countries' militaries will hold joint exercises at three naval bases in Mar del Plata, Ushuaia, and Belgrano Port. (Translated by Zhong Sirui)

September 13, a V-22 "Osprey" transport plane is taxiing at the Roosevelt Road Naval Base in Puerto Rico. (AFP)

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