Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth visits Dominican Republic to strengthen anti-drug cooperation as US-Venezuela tensions escalate over terrorism designation.
SANTO DOMINGO: US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth will visit the Dominican Republic on Wednesday for talks on combating drug trafficking amid rising tensions with Venezuela.
The Pentagon confirmed the visit to the close US Caribbean ally as President Donald Trump increases pressure on Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.
Hegseth will meet with Dominican President Luis Abinader, his defence minister and other cabinet members during the trip.
His office stated the meetings aim to “strengthen defence relationships and reaffirm America’s commitment to defend the homeland, protect our regional partners and ensure stability and security across the Americas.”
The visit follows Monday’s US designation of an alleged Venezuelan drug cartel as a foreign terrorist organization.
The Cartel de los Soles designation provides legal justification for additional actions against Venezuelan authorities.
Venezuela’s government organized an anti-US protest march through Caracas on Tuesday in response.
“They always invent a scenario, like the scenario they invented with (Saddam) Hussein, with (Muammar) Gaddafi, to destroy these people, these countries,” said community leader Candido Miquilarena.
Washington has intensified military pressure by deploying the world’s largest aircraft carrier and multiple warships to the region.
Caracas accuses the US of using anti-drug operations as cover for efforts to overthrow Maduro.
US strikes on suspected drug vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific have killed dozens since September.
The Dominican Republic has actively cooperated with American anti-drug operations.
Authorities there announced earlier this month they seized approximately 500 kilograms of cocaine during a joint operation with US forces.
“We continue working with the United States because this is a tough fight, especially in some countries, mainly in South America, that have seen an increase in drug production, particularly cocaine,” Abinader stated. – AFP
