The United States has increased its naval presence near Venezuela with the arrival of the USNS Henry J. Kaiser at Guantanamo Bay, marking the third fleet oiler deployed to the region, potentially signaling a shift in refueling strategies for surface combatants. This naval activity occurs as Hurricane #98L poses a dual threat, with one path potentially leading to devastating flooding in Hispaniola, according to social media reports. The USNS Henry J. Kaiser departed Norfolk on October 14th and altered its course on October 16th, heading southeast at 16 knots, bypassing an apparent stop at Mayport. This deployment, alongside two other fleet oilers, suggests a strategic repositioning for naval operations, possibly moving away from reliance on regional ports for refueling. The USNS Henry J. Kaiser is anticipated to be off the U.S. Virgin Islands within approximately 24 hours, as observed by naval tracking accounts. Meanwhile, Hurricane #98L presents a significant weather threat. Experts noted on social media on October 19th that the storm's trajectory has two potentially disastrous paths, with a northeastern path specifically identified as a risk for severe flooding in Hispaniola. The meteorological community is closely monitoring the storm's development, hoping for a trajectory that avoids catastrophic outcomes. This period of increased naval activity and heightened hurricane risk follows recent diplomatic tensions between the United States and Colombia. U.S. President Donald Trump had previously accused Colombian President Gustavo Petro of promoting narco-terrorism and threatened future prosecution of individuals involved in drug trafficking. Colombian Interior Minister Armando Benedetti confirmed that a survivor of a recent U.S. strike carrying cocaine would be prosecuted upon repatriation. The prior report also detailed President Trump's assertions on Truth Social that Petro "promotes the appeasement of criminals who have killed thousands of his own citizens" and sends "poison" to the United States, alongside a warning that "The world will be watching and so will the US" regarding upcoming Colombian elections.
