WILLEMSTAD – The presence of three U.S. Navy destroyers off the coast of Venezuela will not affect Dutch military operations in the region, according to a spokesperson for the Ministry of Defense. “At this moment there is no reason to adjust our regular operations in the area,” the spokesperson said.
U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered the deployment of the USS Gravely, USS Jason Dunham, and USS Sampson to the southern Caribbean in an effort to intensify the fight against Latin American drug cartels. The ships are expected to remain active in the region for several months.
The decision marks a significant escalation in U.S. pressure on Venezuela. Earlier this year, Trump designated several cartels as terrorist organizations, holding them responsible for gang violence inside the United States. According to The New York Times, the president has also signed a classified directive authorizing the possible use of military force against these groups.
Port visit to Willemstad
The U.S. has informed the Dutch Ministry of Defense of the deployment, which it described as “a national operation of the United States” in international waters and airspace. Dutch officials confirmed that the deployment will not disrupt Kingdom defense activities in the Caribbean, where the Royal Netherlands Navy conducts counter-narcotics missions from Marinebase Parera.
The USS Gravely and USS Jason Dunham are scheduled to make a logistical port visit to Willemstad later this month, officials added.
Curaçao, located just 65 kilometers from Venezuela’s coastline, plays a key role in regional counter-drug operations. The Netherlands, the United States, and Curaçao already collaborate through the Forward Operating Location (FOL) to combat drug trafficking.
Maduro accused of narco-terrorism
The U.S. government accuses Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro of being one of the world’s biggest drug traffickers, alleging he collaborates with cartels to “flood” the United States with cocaine mixed with fentanyl. Earlier this month, Washington doubled its reward for Maduro’s arrest to $50 million.
Meanwhile, in The Hague, D66 lawmakers have submitted questions to the Dutch government about what the U.S. operation means for the safety of civil aviation, shipping, and critical infrastructure around Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao, and how local governments are being consulted.
New U.S. strategy against cartels
The Trump administration’s move to classify cartels as terrorist organizations represents a major shift in U.S. policy. Previously, the designation was reserved for groups like al-Qaeda that use violence for political aims.
Since February, the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua has been labeled a terrorist organization by Washington. The group is linked to crimes including murder, kidnapping, human trafficking, sexual exploitation, and extortion. The U.S. government has also controversially moved to deport cartel members to a prison in El Salvador.
Trump has further urged Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum to step up cooperation with the U.S. military in combating cartels, but she has rejected proposals for U.S. troop involvement, stressing Mexico’s sovereignty.
