U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth made an unannounced visit to the USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7), a Wasp-class amphibious assault ship currently deployed in the Southern Caribbean.

The vessel is positioned off the coast of Venezuela as part of U.S. efforts to counter narco-terrorism in the region. The deployment underscores Washington’s ongoing focus on curbing drug trafficking networks that operate through South America and the Caribbean.

Hegseth’s visit was seen as a show of support for the sailors and Marines aboard the ship, as well as a signal of the administration’s commitment to regional security operations. The mission highlights the increasing role of naval power in tackling transnational threats close to U.S. borders.