January 1, Shuttered Puerto Rico Navy Base Eyed for Drug War

Wyatt’s Take

• An old Navy base in Puerto Rico could help in the fight against drug cartels.
• The Trump administration is considering more military moves in the Caribbean.
• American leaders warn about threats from countries like Venezuela, Russia, and China.

The closed Roosevelt Roads Navy base in Puerto Rico may be brought back into focus as the Trump administration looks to crack down on drug cartels in the Caribbean. Top officials discuss keeping a close eye on threats from places like Venezuela, linking them with adversaries such as Russia and China.

At a recent White House roundtable, President Trump spoke about expanding military operations and highlighted strong recruitment numbers, saying:

“This is a good time to expand if we want to do it and I think we should, I think we should and probably will.”

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth added that the administration is aware of the region’s growing threats and is ready to act:

“We’re familiar with the location that you’re referring to, and we will make sure that we’re properly placed in order to deal with the contingency we’re dealing with there, and also any ways in which other countries would attempt to be involved also, so we can walk and chew gum. We’re definitely keeping our eyes on near peer adversaries at the same time.”

Hegseth emphasized the importance of sending a clear message to cartels and keeping America’s interests secure, referencing past administrations that let other nations flex their muscles in our hemisphere. The Roosevelt Roads base, which has a big airfield and deep-water port, could strengthen America’s hand less than 600 miles from Venezuela.

Recent Pentagon moves back this up. Just before deploying the USS Gerald R. Ford and its ships to the region, Sean Parnell, assistant to the secretary for public affairs, stated:

“The enhanced U.S. force presence in the USSOUTHCOM AOR will bolster U.S. capacity to detect, monitor, and disrupt illicit actors and activities that compromise the safety and prosperity of the United States homeland and our security in the Western Hemisphere. These forces will enhance and augment existing capabilities to disrupt narcotics trafficking and degrade and dismantle TCOs.”

Analysts warn that Latin America is vulnerable to influence by America’s enemies, making military moves in the area key for national security.

Leaders say now’s the time to focus on protecting our own backyard by stopping narco terrorists and keeping foreign adversaries in check.

Wyatt Matters

When America stands strong at home, it protects families and jobs in the heartland. Keeping drug cartels and rivals away from our borders defends the way of life that matters most to Middle America.

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