The United States has begun moving substantial air and naval assets—including more than 4,000 Marines and sailors—into the southern Caribbean Sea and waters around Latin America, according to defence officials cited by Reuters and CNN. The deployment, ordered by President Donald Trump, targets Latin American drug cartels that Washington earlier labelled global terrorist groups. Forces assigned to U.S. Southern Command include the USS Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, additional P-8A Poseidon surveillance aircraft, multiple destroyers, a guided-missile cruiser and a nuclear-powered attack submarine. Pentagon officials said the buildup is primarily a show of force but gives commanders a wide range of options should the White House authorise direct action against cartel networks. The move expands recent U.S. military activity aimed at curbing narcotics trafficking and tightening border security. Some defence officials have raised concerns that Marine units lack specialised training for drug-interdiction missions and would need to rely heavily on the Coast Guard. The deployment is expected to remain under SOUTHCOM’s control for at least several months.