The U.S. Navy deployed the guided-missile destroyer USS Stockdale (DDG 106) into the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility yesterday, September 20th, 2025, bringing the total number of U.S. Navy warships in the region to at least 10. The deployment increases the U.S. Navy's presence in the strategic area, with approximately 13% of its currently deployed ships now operating there. This increased naval presence follows a joint operation on September 20th, 2025, where U.S. forces attacked a drug boat approximately 80 nautical miles south of Beata Island between 3:07 PM and 4:08 PM UTC. The Dominican Republic subsequently seized 377 packages of alleged cocaine from the destroyed vessel. This operation was confirmed by Diario Libre via X (formerly Twitter) at 6:37 PM UTC on September 21st, 2025. In separate but potentially related activity, a U.S. Air Force DHC-6 Twin Otter aircraft, registration 96-6003, was observed flying from Staniel Cay, Bahamas, descending towards Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, yesterday. The aircraft had previously flown from Fort Liberty to Melbourne and then Chub Cay on September 20th, 2025. Recent polling data from a YouGov survey conducted between September 5th and 8th, 2025, released on September 21st, 2025, indicates that a majority of Americans oppose U.S. intervention in Venezuela. The survey found 52% of Americans against overthrowing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and 62% against invading Venezuela. These sentiments contrast with unsubstantiated claims circulating on social media regarding Venezuelan militias allegedly training to assassinate U.S. President Donald Trump.
