The United States has ordered additional warships, including a missile cruiser and a submarine, to the southern Caribbean as part of President Donald Trump's initiative to combat Latin American drug cartels. This deployment follows last week's dispatch of three amphibious ships carrying 4,500 troops to the region. The expanded naval presence, totaling eight U.S. warships, is focused near Venezuela, where the Trump administration identifies the Maduro regime as a major narcotics threat. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that President Trump is prepared to use every element of American power to stop drugs from entering the United States and to bring those responsible to justice. The buildup has heightened tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela, with Venezuelan officials warning of potential resistance amid the increased military activity in the southern Caribbean waters.