US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will visit the Dominican Republic on Wednesday for talks focused on combatting drug trafficking as tensions with Venezuela intensify. The Pentagon confirmed the visit as President Donald Trump increases pressure on Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, whom Washington accuses of leading a major drug cartel.
Hegseth will meet Dominican President Luis Abinader, the defense minister and several cabinet members, aiming to strengthen defense ties and reinforce America’s commitment to regional stability across the Americas.
Venezuela Condemns US Actions
The trip follows Washington’s decision to designate the alleged Venezuelan cartel, Cartel de los Soles, as a foreign terrorist organization, giving the US administration broader legal authority to act against Venezuelan officials.
Venezuela responded with a government-backed march in Caracas, as Maduro addressed supporters while holding independence hero Simon Bolivar’s ceremonial “Sword of Peru,” stating that the country now faces a decisive moment that requires national unity.
“There is no excuse for anyone, whether civilian, politician, military or police officer. Failure is not an option! The nation demands our greatest effort and sacrifice,” he told the crowd.
Washington Expands Military Pressure
Furthermore, the US has increased military activity around Venezuela, as It deployed the world’s largest aircraft carrier to the region, along with several warships, while Caracas accused Washington of using anti-drug operations as a pretext to try to remove Maduro from power.
“They always invent a scenario, like the scenario they invented with Hussein and with Gaddafi, to destroy these people, these countries,” said Candido Miquilarena, a 63-year-old community leader attending the Caracas march.
US strikes on suspected drug boats in the Caribbean and Pacific have killed dozens since September.
The Dominican Republic continues coordinating with US operations, with authorities recently seizing about 500 kilograms of cocaine from a boat intercepted during a joint mission with American forces near Hispaniola.
“We continue working with the United States because this is a tough fight, especially in some countries in South America that have seen an increase in drug production, particularly cocaine,” President Abinader said on Tuesday.
