Cuba has sharply criticized the United States for what it describes as a dangerous escalation of military activity aimed at destabilizing Venezuela, warning that Washington’s recent actions could severely threaten peace across the Caribbean and Latin America.
In a strong statement issued Tuesday, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez accused the US of edging toward the “violent removal” of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Rodriguez said the expanding presence of American military forces in the region amounts to an “exaggerated and aggressive” attempt to shift the regional balance of power.
“We appeal to the people of the United States to stop this madness,” he said, urging Washington to abandon measures he argued could lead to widespread suffering and would violate both international law and the UN Charter.
Mounting Pressure on Venezuela
The criticism from Havana comes as US President Donald Trump explores additional strategies targeting Venezuela’s government. For years, Washington has accused the Maduro administration of enabling large-scale drug trafficking, although no concrete evidence has been made public to support the allegations.
US actions in the region have raised alarm among several governments and international legal experts. Over the past two months, the US military has conducted airstrikes on 21 vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific, claiming they were linked to narcotics operations. According to reports, more than 80 people were killed in these incidents. Independent analysts note that even if illicit substances had been found—which has not been demonstrated—the attacks could still breach international law.
Meanwhile, the US military footprint in the Caribbean has grown to its highest level in decades, with an estimated 15,000 American personnel deployed across the region.
The White House maintains that regime change is not the objective, but recent actions have fueled widespread concern. A Reuters report quoting four US officials indicated that Washington is preparing a new phase of operations in Venezuela, with two of those officials acknowledging that options on the table include an attempt to remove Maduro from power.
The situation escalated further last month after Trump authorized covert CIA activities in Venezuela. The US has also kept in place a $50 million reward for information leading to Maduro’s arrest—an offer that has grown since Trump’s first term.
US Labels ‘Cartel de los Soles’ as a Terrorist Organization
In another significant development, Washington recently added the so-called Cartel de los Soles to its list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs). The term, used within Venezuela, describes alleged corruption involving senior officials, but experts emphasize that it is not an organized cartel in the conventional sense.
Maduro has repeatedly accused the US of attempting to overthrow him, asserting that both Venezuela’s armed forces and civilian population would resist any intervention.
Trump has signaled he plans to speak directly with Maduro, though no date for a call has been announced.
High-Level US Military Officials Tour the Caribbean
Amid rising tensions, senior US military leaders have begun a tour through the Caribbean to meet regional partners.
General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, met with Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar this week. According to the Pentagon, discussions focused on strengthening cooperation, addressing drug-trafficking routes, and countering transnational crime.
Caine began his regional visit with a stop in Puerto Rico, where he met with US service members.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is expected to continue the diplomatic outreach with a visit to the Dominican Republic, where talks will center on reinforcing defense ties and ensuring regional security.
Caribbean Leaders Divided on US Actions
The American strikes on alleged drug-smuggling boats have drawn mixed responses from Caribbean governments. Many leaders urged caution, stressing the need for dialogue and diplomacy rather than military escalation.
Trinidad and Tobago’s Persad-Bissessar, however, has openly supported the US strategy. Earlier this year, she said she had no sympathy for drug traffickers and declared that the US military “should kill them all violently.” Her remarks drew strong criticism from opposition lawmakers and regional diplomats.
Former Trinidadian Foreign Minister Amery Browne criticized the prime minister’s comments as “reckless,” arguing that they risk isolating Trinidad and Tobago from CARICOM, the Caribbean Community bloc.
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