Staff ReportsThe USS Iwo Jima now stands as a beacon of American resolve in the Caribbean, reflecting a dramatic shift in U.S. foreign and security policy. Following the Trump administration’s new offensive against narco-terrorist networks, Pete Hegseth kicked off his tenure as Secretary of War by visiting the vessel stationed near Puerto Rico, sending an unmistakable message of zero tolerance for cartels—particularly those empowered by Nicolás Maduro’s regime in Venezuela. This decisive deployment of naval and air power marks a reversal of permissive border and drug policies, making clear that America will not sit idle as dangerous substances infiltrate its communities.
While mainstream commentators fret about military optics and diplomatic niceties, this administration sees things with sharper clarity. Hegseth’s fiery speech aboard the USS Iwo Jima cut through bureaucratic platitudes, emphasizing strength over endless negotiations and warning adversaries that the era of American weakness is over. He called the vessel and its crew “warriors” on the front lines defending American families, not simply running drills. For years, cartel violence and leftist policies in Venezuela have devastated the region, casting chaos from Caracas to southern Florida. This new posture reestablishes America’s deterrence: speak softly, but always carry the biggest stick.
President Trump’s move to rename the Department of Defense to the Department of War is more than symbolic—it restores seriousness and purpose to our mission. Unlike the half-measures and political appeasement that plagued previous administrations, Trump’s policy prioritizes decisive action and results, leveraging Puerto Rico’s strategic location to choke drug trafficking at its source. Puerto Ricans themselves—through their Senate—have voiced support for this renewed partnership, recognizing the economic and security benefits that come with a robust American presence.
The reality is that many nations in Central and South America have suffered the consequences of weak action against the cartels. Trump’s strategy, underscored by Secretary Hegseth’s visit and future deployments of advanced hardware like the F-35 jets, is to confront these threats before they ever reach American shores. Crucially, this is about more than flexing military muscle; it’s about keeping ordinary citizens safe from the flood of poison and violence that has poured in under lax leadership.
The men and women aboard the Iwo Jima represent the finest traditions of the U.S. military, a stark contrast to the embattled and inefficient militias seen in failing states like Venezuela. Their discipline and readiness send a crystal-clear message: to adversaries, America is back and unwilling to be pushed around; to allies, the U.S. remains the guarantor of peace and opportunity. This chapter—written not by Washington bureaucrats but by bold leaders unafraid to challenge the status quo—confirms that when tested by crisis, American strength and unity will always rise to the occasion.
