Who Commands the Caribbean? — Issue 01 source record

Public institutional records and attributed research

America’s campaign against alleged drug boats has tested the boundary between policing and war, and divided the governments living closest to it. For the Caribbean, the defence of sovereignty now begins with a harder question: whose security counts?

Compiled 14 November 2026

Key extracts & findings

SOURCE 1

Trinidad Express — Deadly boat strike between T&T and Venezuela cited in Hegseth impeachment bid, 10 November 2026

Source extract: “The government has stated on numerous occasions that it was not involved in the US’ operation to extract Maduro, boat strikes or any actions against the Venezuelan people.” Public record: https://trinidadexpress.com/newsextra/deadly-boat-strike-between-t-t-and-venezuela-cited-in-hegseth-impeachment-bid/article_65f7b2a2-0f46-4c6f-bce6-83ca67f22bcb.html

SOURCE 2

Reuters — Mapping US strikes against suspected drug boats, 12 December 2025

Source extract: “The U.S. has alleged, without presenting evidence, that the boats it bombed were transporting drugs, but foreign leaders, some members of Congress, legal experts and family members of the deceased have called for proof.” Public record: https://www.reuters.com/graphics/USA-VENEZUELA/MAPS/lgvdqxnenpo/2025-12-12/mapping-us-strikes-against-suspected-drug-boats/

SOURCE 3

The Guardian — Deadly airstrikes and a military buildup: how the US pressure campaign against Venezuela has unfolded in the Caribbean, 24 November 2025

Source extract: “Amid growing tensions between Washington and Caracas, the US has gathered its largest military presence in the Caribbean since the 1989 invasion of Panama.” Public record: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/nov/24/visual-guide-us-military-presence-caribbean

SOURCE 4

CNN — What we know of the countries backing US military moves in the Caribbean, 19 November 2025

Source extract: “The deployment is receiving logistical and diplomatic support from multiple Latin American countries, ranging from limited assistance to open cooperation with to US forces.” Public record: https://www.cnn.com/2025/11/19/americas/us-military-deployment-support-caribbean-latam-intl

SOURCE 5

CARICOM — Statement from the Caribbean Community: Security Build Up in the Region, 18 October 2025

Source extract: “They reaffirmed the principle of maintaining the Caribbean Region as a Zone of Peace and the importance of dialogue and engagement towards the peaceful resolution of disputes and conflict.” Public record: https://caricom.org/statement-from-the-caribbean-community-security-build-up-in-the-region/

SOURCE 6

Stabroek News — Caricom leaders must reject unproven US claim of threat, military buildup – Mottley, 27 October 2025

Source extract: “As I said, we stand for the rule of law, and we believe that if there is other intelligence available that would cause you to take action that is an immediate threat to you as a nation, then you have a duty to share it with us” Public record: https://www.stabroeknews.com/2025/10/27/news/guyana/caricom-leaders-must-reject-unproven-us-claim-of-threat-military-buildup-mottley/

SOURCE 7

CARICOM — Statement from the Bureau of the Conference of CARICOM Heads of Government on military action in Venezuela, 3 January 2026

Source extract: “CARICOM remains ready to support all such efforts, in a spirit of cooperation and mutual respect.” Public record: https://caricom.org/statement-from-the-bureau-of-the-conference-of-caricom-heads-of-government-on-military-action-in-venezuela/

SOURCE 8

Belize Ministry of Foreign Affairs — Statement on the Situation in Venezuela, 5 January 2026

Source extract: “Belize reiterates its commitment to our region as a Zone of Peace.” Public record: https://mfa.gov.bz/statement-on-the-situation-in-venezuela/

SOURCE 9

BBC News — US strikes on alleged drug boats could be crimes against humanity, says UN, 21 September 2026

Source extract: “Saul said that even if targets could be identified as members of designated terrorist groups, they had not staged an armed attack on the US which would trigger a right to self-defence under international law.” Public record: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ck5ye7v88qy7o

SOURCE 10

Al Jazeera — US strikes on alleged drug boats may be crimes against humanity, UN says, 22 September 2026

Source extract: “Saul’s report said the US has no right to the use of force in self-defence against alleged drug trafficking.” Public record: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/9/22/us-strikes-on-alleged-drug-boats-may-be-crimes-against-humanity-un-says

SOURCE 11

Trinidad Express — Fishermen’s US strike death lawsuit awaits local court hearing, 13 September 2026, updated 14 September 2026

Source extract: “Relatives believe Joseph and Samaroo were aboard a fishing vessel that was struck on October 14, 2025, in the Caribbean Sea.” Public record: https://trinidadexpress.com/news/local/fishermen-s-us-strike-death-lawsuit-stalls/article_20ec9021-6388-4d33-acc4-7e73f044f3a1.html

SOURCE 12

PBS, Washington Week with The Atlantic — How Hegseth escaped an impeachment effort – for now, 13 November 2026

Source extract: “Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth escaped an impeachment vote in the House, but may face another effort when Democrats take control of Congress.” Public record: https://www.pbs.org/video/clip1-b5vglw/

Short source extracts retain third-party ownership. Institutional descriptions and dated announcements are not independent outcome evaluations. Some restricted pages were inspected through indexed text; no interviews or field visits are claimed.