Dominican Republic allows US to use San Isidro Air Base and Las Americas Airport for anti-drug operations amid regional tensions with Venezuela
SANTO DOMINGO: The Dominican Republic will permit the United States to use its air base and international airport for controversial anti-drug operations that have killed over 80 people.
President Luis Abinader announced the authorization during US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s visit to Santo Domingo on Wednesday.
“We have authorized the United States, for a limited time, to use restricted areas at the San Isidro Air Base and the Las Americas International Airport for logistical operations of aircraft,” Abinader stated.
The agreement covers refueling and transport of equipment and personnel for US counter-narcotics missions.
Hegseth confirmed the “temporary deployment of US service members and aircraft” alongside the Dominican leader.
Washington is “deadly serious” about its counter-narcotics mission targeting alleged drug traffickers, Hegseth emphasized.
“In waging this war on narco-terrorists, we’re willing to go on the offense in a way that changes the dynamic for the entire region,” he declared.
The US Defense Secretary asserted that strength and swift action are the only language narco-terrorists understand.
The visit followed the US designation of Venezuela’s alleged Cartel de los Soles as a foreign terrorist organization.
This designation provides legal justification for increased US action against Venezuelan authorities.
The United States began conducting strikes on alleged drug smugglers in early September, destroying more than 20 vessels.
Washington claims these vessels were used for drug trafficking operations.
However, the US has not publicly presented evidence that its targets were smuggling narcotics or posed threats.
The Trump administration has deployed the world’s largest aircraft carrier and ten other ships to the Caribbean.
This substantial naval presence accompanies multiple shows of force using B-52 and B-1B bombers near Venezuela’s coast.
Regional tensions have escalated due to the military buildup and strikes.
Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro accuses Washington of using drug trafficking as pretext for regime change.
Maduro insists Venezuela contains no drug cultivation, serving only as an unwilling trafficking route for Colombian cocaine.
The Dominican Republic has previously cooperated with US anti-drug operations.
Authorities recently seized approximately 500 kilograms of cocaine during a joint operation with US forces.
The Dominican Republic shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti. – AFP
