The Caribbean Sea, a vital lifeline for numerous sovereign nations and dependent territories, is under threat as recent US military strikes on alleged drug-smuggling boats have sparked outrage and fear across the region. Since September 2, 2025, the US Southern Command has conducted four strikes in the southern Caribbean near Venezuela, resulting in at least 21 deaths. Washington justifies these actions as part of its fight against ‘narcoterrorism,’ targeting the Venezuelan gang ‘Tren de Aragua,’ which it designated a foreign terrorist organization in February 2025. However, these strikes have raised serious concerns about sovereignty, legality, and the potential for escalating militarization in a region historically committed to peace.
The Caribbean has long been a major transshipment route for narcotics moving from South America to North America, and regional nations have cooperated with the US in counter-narcotics efforts for decades. Yet, the recent strikes are deeply intertwined with the deteriorating US-Venezuela relations, which have worsened under successive US administrations. The deployment of 4,000 US troops near Venezuela’s coast has fueled speculation of a potential regime change, prompting Venezuela to declare a state of emergency and bolster its military defenses. Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro has also condemned the strikes, noting that Colombian nationals may have been among the victims.
The UN Security Council held an emergency session on October 10, 2025, at Venezuela’s request, but meaningful action is unlikely due to the US veto power. Critics, including Human Rights Watch, have condemned the strikes as extrajudicial killings and violations of international law, with no credible evidence provided to confirm the targeted vessels were involved in drug smuggling. There are fears that the victims could have been innocent migrants or fishermen.
The Caribbean Sea, though less than 1% of the world’s ocean area, accounts for 27% of the global ocean economy and 18% of regional GDP, according to the Inter-American Development Bank. Its waters are crucial for fisheries, tourism, shipping, and other industries. Escalating military tensions threaten the region’s blue economy, which many Caribbean nations are developing through sustainable fisheries, renewable energy, and maritime transport. Increased militarization could deter investment, disrupt livelihoods, and imperil future prosperity.
Historically, the Caribbean has prided itself on being a ‘Zone of Peace,’ a principle reaffirmed by regional leaders at the 80th UN General Assembly. However, cracks are emerging in the Caribbean Community (Caricom) unity, with Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar publicly supporting the US actions. Reports also suggest the US has approached Grenada to host radar equipment, further complicating regional solidarity.
Caricom must engage diplomatically with the US, leveraging support from the Caribbean diaspora, civil society, and international allies to prevent further escalation. Over 60 US civil society organizations have expressed concerns about the legality and morality of the strikes, while senior Democrats have demanded evidence. The UN has called for restraint, emphasizing that efforts to combat transnational crime must comply with international law.
The Caribbean must unite to defend its shared patrimony, ensuring that the Caribbean Sea remains a zone of peace and prosperity. Preserving this principle is not just a diplomatic goal but a moral, social, and economic necessity.