US sends warships to Caribbean, raising tensions with Venezuela

On Thursday, the White House said Trump was ready to use, "every element of American power to stop drugs from flooding into our country."

"Many Caribbean nations and many nations in the region have applauded the administration's counter drug operations and efforts," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters.

The Trump administration designated Mexico's Sinaloa Cartel and other drug gangs, as well as the Venezuelan criminal group Tren de Aragua, as global terrorist organizations in February. Part of that buildup is the USS San Antonio, USS Iwo Jima, and USS Fort Lauderdale. The ships are carrying 4,500 service members, including 2,200 Marines, sources have told Reuters.