Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader shakes hands with U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. EPA=Yonhap News

The Donald Trump administration, which has launched a "war on drug trafficking," has increased pressure on Venezuela by joining forces with the Dominican Republic.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth personally visited Santo Domingo, the capital of the Caribbean island nation, and obtained approval to use its air force base and airport.

Luis Abinader, President of the Dominican Republic, announced at a press conference, "We have authorized the United States to use the restricted areas of San Isidro Air Base and Las Américas International Airport for a certain period," AFP reported on the 27th.

As a result, the United States will be able to conduct operations such as transporting aircraft, supplies, and personnel, and refueling at these facilities.

Secretary Hegseth, who was present at the press conference, revealed plans to temporarily deploy U.S. troops and aircraft, stating, "In this war against drug terrorists, we will launch an offensive in a way that changes the dynamics of the entire region (of Central and South America)."

Hegseth added, "We will confront drug terrorists and their illegal activities with strong and swift action. This is the only language they understand."

The right-leaning government of the Dominican Republic has shown a cooperative attitude toward the United States, having recently seized 500 kg of cocaine during a joint operation with U.S. forces that intercepted a suspicious vessel.

This announcement comes at a significant time as President Trump is reportedly considering military action against Venezuela.

The Trump administration has recently taken a hardline stance, officially designating Venezuela's "Cartel de los Soles" (Cartel of the Suns) as a "Foreign Terrorist Organization" (FTO) and deploying the world's largest nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, along with 10 warships to the Caribbean.

In particular, U.S. forces have attacked vessels presumed to be Venezuelan "drug transport ships" on the high seas, resulting in more than 80 deaths.

However, the Trump administration has yet to present evidence that the targets were involved in drug trafficking or posed a security threat to the United States. Some experts criticize this as potential murder outside of judicial procedures.

President Maduro also claimed that the United States is using drug trafficking as a pretext for regime change to seize Venezuela's oil.

Yonhap News