The deployment of a formidable US naval fleet off the coast of Venezuela has sparked a heated debate among CARICOM leaders, exposing deep divisions within the regional bloc. While some view the presence as a necessary deterrent against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s alleged destabilizing activities, others, led by Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, have condemned it as a threat to the Caribbean’s long-standing commitment to peace and sovereignty. This tension underscores the fragility of regional unity in the face of external pressures and internal disagreements.