The US military is reportedly planning to maintain a significant presence in the Caribbean until at least 2028, according to documents reviewed by The Intercept. This comes as the Trump administration has been conducting more than 20 strikes on suspected drug smuggling boats in the region, with some analysts suggesting that this could be a precursor to a larger military operation against Venezuela.
The Pentagon's plans for operations in the Caribbean are outlined in a series of Defense Logistics Agency documents, which detail an effort to source food supplies for troops stationed in Puerto Rico and other locations in the region. The documents reveal that tens of thousands of pounds of baked goods, including honey buns, vanilla cupcakes, and sweet rolls, will be delivered to Puerto Rico from November 2025 until November 2028.
The US has also deployed a large naval flotilla to the Caribbean since the summer, with more than 75 aircraft on board. The USS Gerald R Ford, the Navy's newest and most powerful aircraft carrier, is part of this fleet, which includes three guided-missile destroyers and a nuclear submarine.
Despite the Pentagon's efforts to keep details about its military buildup in the region under wraps, analysts believe that these documents suggest the US will maintain a significant military presence in the Caribbean for several years. Mark Cancian, an analyst with the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said: "The procurement's length of time and the level of effort seemed to point to these operations continuing at the current level for several years."
This development comes as tensions between the US and Venezuela have been escalating in recent months. President Nicolas Maduro has called the Trump administration's military presence in the Caribbean "irresponsible" and said that his country is being used as a "threat to the peace of the Caribbean." The US, however, claims that it is working to combat narco-terrorism in the region.
The Pentagon's plans for operations in the Caribbean have raised significant questions about the potential for escalation between the two countries. Gabe Murphy, a policy analyst at Taxpayers for Common Sense, said: "These documents suggest that the Trump administration plans to maintain a significantly increased military presence in the Caribbean through the remainder of President Trump's term in office."
As tensions continue to build between the US and Venezuela, it remains to be seen how this situation will play out.
The Pentagon's plans for operations in the Caribbean are outlined in a series of Defense Logistics Agency documents, which detail an effort to source food supplies for troops stationed in Puerto Rico and other locations in the region. The documents reveal that tens of thousands of pounds of baked goods, including honey buns, vanilla cupcakes, and sweet rolls, will be delivered to Puerto Rico from November 2025 until November 2028.
The US has also deployed a large naval flotilla to the Caribbean since the summer, with more than 75 aircraft on board. The USS Gerald R Ford, the Navy's newest and most powerful aircraft carrier, is part of this fleet, which includes three guided-missile destroyers and a nuclear submarine.
Despite the Pentagon's efforts to keep details about its military buildup in the region under wraps, analysts believe that these documents suggest the US will maintain a significant military presence in the Caribbean for several years. Mark Cancian, an analyst with the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said: "The procurement's length of time and the level of effort seemed to point to these operations continuing at the current level for several years."
This development comes as tensions between the US and Venezuela have been escalating in recent months. President Nicolas Maduro has called the Trump administration's military presence in the Caribbean "irresponsible" and said that his country is being used as a "threat to the peace of the Caribbean." The US, however, claims that it is working to combat narco-terrorism in the region.
The Pentagon's plans for operations in the Caribbean have raised significant questions about the potential for escalation between the two countries. Gabe Murphy, a policy analyst at Taxpayers for Common Sense, said: "These documents suggest that the Trump administration plans to maintain a significantly increased military presence in the Caribbean through the remainder of President Trump's term in office."
As tensions continue to build between the US and Venezuela, it remains to be seen how this situation will play out.
️ they're delivering honey buns to puerto rico tho 
idk if its just a coincidence or whats really going down 
And what's up with the massive food delivery to Puerto Rico? Like, seriously? They must be planning for some major winter storm or something 
. The documents say it's just an effort to source food supplies, but come on! It sounds like a giant logistical operation 
. I'm no expert, but it seems like a lot of resources are being thrown at this situation in the Caribbean 
. With all these aircraft and naval ships arriving, it's getting harder to ignore the possibility of a larger operation against Venezuela 
.
.
. But what if this isn't just about food supplies, but something more complex? Maybe it's about geopolitics and control 
. And what's with all these sweet treats being shipped to Puerto Rico? Like, what's next, free ice cream cones for every soldier stationed there? 
And what's up with Venezuela being called a "threat to the peace" when it's actually the US that's causing all the tension here 
. And what's the real plan here, anyway? Are they really planning to stay in the Caribbean until 2028 or is this all just some kind of bluff? 
, and now they want to bring in baked goods too... ummm, priorities? 
. But others are all worried about escalation, like Gabe Murphy, who's just trying to keep everyone safe 
.
One thing's for sure though, it's gonna be interesting to watch how this whole situation unfolds 
. Will the US and Venezuela ever get along? Only time will tell 
! 
. Only time will tell how this situation unfolds 
.
️