Cruisers throughout the Caribbean are being advised to file float plans with authorities and friends and exercise extreme caution, particularly in the eastern Caribbean following US attacks on suspected “narco-terrorist” vessels in international waters off the coast of Venezuela and Colombia.

Published 14 hours ago, updated 3 hours ago

Strikes Continue in the Southern Caribbean

Relations between the United States and Venezuela have deteriorated sharply, as the US steps up counter-narcotics operations, destroying several suspected Venezuelan drug-trafficking vessels and expanding its military presence in the region. It is the largest deployment of U.S. forces in the region in decades with about 10,000 troops at sea and on shore.

Roughly half of the U.S. contingent is deployed aboard eight Navy warships, carrying about 2,200 Marines and their fighter aircraft. The remaining, slightly larger portion is stationed primarily at former U.S. bases—now civilian airports—in Puerto Rico, and includes Marine Corps F-35 fighter jets, Air Force MQ-9 Reaper drones, and a range of surveillance aircraft and support personnel.

The first strike on an alleged Venezuela drug smuggling vessel was on 1 September and there have been 7 further strikes since in the region, the latest on 24 October being the first strike during the night. Full details of all strikes are well documented here including an infographic showing approximate locations of American airstrikes.

Experts have suggested the strikes could be illegal under US and international law. The White House has posted videos of the strikes on social media. Tensions between the US and Venezuela escalated further last week when US President Donald Trump said that he was considering strikes on Venezuelan soil.

Advice for Cruisers

The Caribbean Safety and Security Net advises all cruisers in the Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao region (the ABCs), as well as those considering a passage from any country in South America to Trinidad and Tobago, to always have AIS on and file a float plan with the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard via Trinidad cruiser contact – Jesse James’ website.

“Anyone having to transit the Caribbean east to west should route north of all Venezuelan waters, including Los Roques,” said CSSN.  ” If you do need to transit through this area from Panama and Colombia to the ABCs, ensure you have satellite tracking and communications as well as a knowledgeable person on the other end of a float plan.”

Anyone with information on any incidents or who may have witnessed a boarding, robbery, or other security issue, is urged to file a report using the CSSN Incident Reporting Form. 

The Ocean Cruising Club also warn, “Yachts transiting between Panama and the eastern Caribbean should exercise great caution. Expect increased military activity and GPS disruption. Monitor regional updates closely, seek the advice of your own country’s Foreign Office, keep AIS on and file a float plan. It is likely that your insurance will be invalid if this becomes a war zone.”

Strikes in the Eastern Pacific

The US military started carrying out strikes on suspected drug-carrying vessels in the Pacific on 21 October. To date there have been 4 strikes, the latest being on the 29 October. Strikes have occurred off the Colombian coast and near the coasts of Mexico and Guatemala.

As of 29 October 2025, at least 61 people have been killed from 15 vessels struck—8 in the Caribbean and 7 in the Pacific.

…………………………………

Related News:

• US Strikes Alleged Drug Carrying Boat in the Pacific (One News)
• How Many Times has the US Struck Venezuelan Vessels?  Al Jazeera
• Venezuelan Fishermen in Fear After US Strikes (BBC)
• US has Two Survivors in Custody After Strike on Alleged Venezuelan Cartel Boat (NBC)

…………………………………

This content was compiled from various sources by Noonsite.

If you have found this information useful, become a paid member to enjoy unlimited use of Noonsite plus many other perks. Your membership fees really help our small, dedicated team keep country information up-to-date in support of cruisers worldwide. Find out more about Noonsite Membership levels and benefits here.

Subscribe to our FREE monthly newsletter: https://www.noonsite.com/newsletter/