The United States conducted its seventh strike in the SOUTHCOM area of operations early this morning, destroying a boat affiliated with a Colombian cartel. This action is part of a significant U.S. military buildup in the region, which now includes over 10,000 troops, primarily stationed in Puerto Rico and aboard 12 U.S. Navy ships. The strike occurred within the reporting window of October 20th, 2025, between 5:32 AM and 8:32 AM UTC. Further bolstering the U.S. presence, U.S. Air Force B-52H bombers and U.S. Marine Corps F-35B fighters performed a bomber attack demonstration. Special forces were observed near Trinidad and Tobago, and AC-130J Ghostrider gunships have been deployed to Puerto Rico. Additional naval assets, including Military Sealift Command oilers USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO 187) and USNS Kanawha (T-AO 196), U.S. Army landing craft utility USAV Wilson Wharf (LCU 2011), and the littoral combat ship USS Wichita (LCS 13), have arrived in theater, with the USS Wichita replacing the USS Minneapolis-St. Paul (LCS 21). According to a New York Times report, the U.S. has installed a new long-range radar system, the AN/TPS-75, in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. Additionally, a new bunker has been constructed at Rafael Hernández Airport to store ammunition and support drone operations. A new Joint Task Force (JTF) under the II Marine Expeditionary Force (II MEF) has been established to oversee operations in the region. These developments follow President Donald Trump's acknowledgment last week of authorizing CIA covert operations in Venezuela and his statement that "We are looking at land now, because we've got the sea very well under control." SOUTHCOM Commander Admiral Holsey is reportedly retiring. The expanded military posture and recent strike indicate a heightened focus on interdiction and operations within the SOUTHCOM area.
