SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — United States Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is set to visit the Dominican Republic for high-level security talks, as regional tensions escalate and Washington deepens its standoff with Venezuela.
The Pentagon confirmed the visit, describing the Dominican Republic as a key Caribbean ally in the fight against narcotics trafficking. Hegseth is expected to meet with President Luis Abinader, the country’s defense minister, and other senior officials to “strengthen defense relationships and reaffirm America’s commitment to defend the homeland, protect our regional partners, and ensure stability and security across the Americas.”
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The trip comes just one day after the United States designated the alleged Venezuelan criminal network known as Cartel de los Soles as a foreign terrorist organization — a move that significantly broadens the Trump administration’s legal latitude for taking military or financial action against Venezuelan authorities. Washington accuses Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro of leading the cartel, an allegation he has repeatedly denied.
In Caracas, the Maduro government responded with an anti-U.S. march, denouncing the designation as a pretext for intervention.
“They always invent a scenario, like they did with Hussein and Gaddafi, to destroy these people and these countries,” 63-year-old community leader Candido Miquilarena told reporters during the protest.
Washington has meanwhile intensified military pressure in the region, deploying the world’s largest aircraft carrier along with several warships to the Caribbean. U.S. forces have carried out a series of deadly strikes on boats suspected of drug trafficking in both the Caribbean and Pacific since September, resulting in dozens of fatalities — actions that have drawn condemnation from human rights groups and concerned governments.
Caracas maintains that the U.S. is using counter-narcotics operations as a “cover” for efforts to topple Maduro’s administration.
The Dominican Republic, a strategic U.S. partner in the region, has continued to cooperate with American operations. Earlier this month, Dominican authorities announced the seizure of approximately 500 kilograms (1,100 pounds) of cocaine from a vessel intercepted during a joint mission with U.S. forces.
“We continue working with the United States because this is a tough fight,” President Abinader said Tuesday. “Especially in some countries, mainly in South America, where drug production — particularly cocaine — has increased.”
Hegseth’s visit underscores Washington’s push to reinforce regional alliances at a time when geopolitical friction in the Caribbean basin is intensifying.
