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US to Expand Troop and Aircraft Deployments in Caribbean to Combat Drug Trafficking, Hegseth Says

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced plans to permit additional U.S. troop and aircraft deployments in the Caribbean to counter drug trafficking. He made the remarks in the Dominican Republic, which has approved temporary U.S. personnel, and urged other nations to allow a similar presence. The move follows an uptick in regional operations — including strikes on suspected trafficking vessels that have killed dozens — and aims to boost surveillance and interdiction across the region.

US to Expand Troop and Aircraft Deployments in Caribbean to Combat Drug Trafficking, Hegseth Says

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Wednesday the United States plans to authorize additional deployments of troops and aircraft to disrupt drug trafficking across the Caribbean.

Speaking in the Dominican Republic — which has approved the temporary stationing of U.S. personnel — Hegseth said he hopes other countries in the region will permit a similar U.S. military presence.

"A model that we hope to expand with other countries that want to associate with us to ensure that the drug terrorists... receive this message that we are associating with more countries, with more elements to stop them," Hegseth said.

Hegseth added that the Dominican Republic will continue to play a leading role in regional efforts against drug traffickers. He said the planned deployments would include both personnel and aircraft intended to improve surveillance, interdiction and coordination across the region.

U.S. operations in the Caribbean have increased in recent months and have included strikes on vessels accused of smuggling drugs — operations that officials say have disrupted trafficking but that have also resulted in dozens of deaths.

Reported by Paul Mathiasen; Written by Natalia Siniawski.

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