The Caribbean Sea, a vital economic and cultural lifeline for the region, has recently become a focal point of geopolitical tension following a series of US military strikes targeting alleged drug-smuggling operations. Since September 2, 2025, the US Southern Command has conducted four strikes in the southern Caribbean near Venezuela, resulting in at least 21 reported deaths. Washington justifies these actions as part of its broader campaign against ‘narcoterrorism,’ specifically targeting the Venezuelan gang ‘Tren de Aragua,’ which it designated a foreign terrorist organization in February 2025. However, these unilateral actions have sparked outrage and concern across the Caribbean, raising fears of escalating militarization and economic instability. The strikes are deeply intertwined with the deteriorating US-Venezuela relations, which have worsened under successive US administrations. Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro has declared a state of emergency, while regional leaders, including Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro, have condemned the US actions. The UN Security Council convened an emergency session on October 10, 2025, but meaningful resolutions remain unlikely due to the US veto power. Critics, including Human Rights Watch, have labeled the strikes as extrajudicial killings and violations of international law, questioning the lack of evidence linking the targeted vessels to drug smuggling. The Caribbean Sea, accounting for 27% of the global ocean economy and 18% of regional GDP, is a critical artery for fisheries, tourism, and shipping. Increased militarization threatens these industries, jeopardizing the region’s economic future. Caribbean nations, historically committed to maintaining the region as a ‘Zone of Peace,’ must unite to resist foreign intervention and preserve their shared patrimony. Diplomatic engagement, supported by regional and international allies, is essential to prevent further escalation and ensure the Caribbean Sea remains a source of prosperity, not conflict.