US continues military buildup in Caribbean, increasing pressure on Venezuela

US continues military buildup in Caribbean, increasing pressure on Venezuela.

Jamaica, Cuba face one of the strongest Atlantic storms ever recorded.

The US has sent even more military assets into the southern Caribbean in a show of force against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. The guided missile destroyer USS Gravely arrived over the weekend in Trinidad and Tobago, purportedly for joint drills against “transnational criminal gangs”. The Gravely is not far behind the USS Gerald R. Ford, the world’s largest aircraft carrier, which has moved even closer to Venezuela.

Since the beginning of September, the US has carried out strikes on 14 boats (8 in the Caribbean, 6 in the Pacific). The Trump administration claims that these boats belonged to narcotraffickers bringing and were carrying drugs destined for the US, but they have presented no evidence for this claim. These strikes have killed over 50 people and left only a handful of survivors. Despite claims that these survivors were narcotraffickers, the US returned them to their respective countries rather than prosecuting them. If the US were to prosecute these survivors, the Trump administration would have to show its evidence that they were committing a crime.

In fact, the US intelligence community has assessed that virtually none of the fentanyl entering the US is coming from Venezuela, and does not even pass through there. Instead, the increasingly aggressive posture seems more aimed at attempting to toppling Venezuela’s President Maduro. Regime change in Venezuela has been a long-term ambition of Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Jamaica, Cuba face one of the strongest Atlantic storms ever recorded

Hurricane Melissa came ashore in Jamaica today as a Category 5 with wind speeds and power that rival the strongest storms ever recorded in the Caribbean. It is the strongest hurricane to make a direct hit on Jamaica since 1851. The island has been preparing for Melissa’s arrival but officials warned that much of their vital infrastructure would not withstand the storm.

Already major flooding has been reported and powerful landslides have brought boulders crashing down mountains. Much of the island is already without power. Extensive damage has been reported to buildings, particularly on the southern part of the island. Videos and images are circulating showing devastating flooding and buildings with their roofs ripped off.

Cuba is also bracing for Melissa as it heads towards their shores. Officials have warned this may be the strongest storm the island has ever seen.

The full extent of Melissa’s damage may not be known for a few days. Officials in both Cuba and Jamaica have predicted that recovery will be a huge undertaking.