Dominican Republic Opens Military Base to U.S. Amid Tensions with Venezuela

The United States is stepping up its fight against alleged drug trafficking in the Caribbean with help from the Dominican Republic. The island nation has allowed the U.S. to use one of its military air bases and its main international airport to support the growing operation.

The announcement came during a visit to Santo Domingo by U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth. Standing beside Dominican President Luis Abinader, Hegseth confirmed that U.S. aircraft and personnel will be “temporarily deployed” to the Dominican Republic for refuelling and moving equipment.

President Abinader stressed that the permission is limited to certain areas of the San Isidro Air Base and Las Américas International Airport.

The move is part of a broader campaign targeting Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, whom the U.S. accuses of running a vast drug trafficking network now labelled a terrorist organisation. Maduro denies the allegations.

Hegseth said the U.S. is “deadly serious” about its mission and ready to take bold action to stop traffickers. Since September, U.S. forces say they have destroyed more than 20 suspected drug-smuggling boats. 

US presence in the Caribbean now includes the deployment of the world’s largest aircraft carrier and more than ten naval ships.