On Wednesday (17), the United States Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) went viral on social media after releasing an edited video showing various moments from high-intensity amphibious exercises carried out in Puerto Rico during the first weeks of September. The media-military demonstration is part of the initiative against the so-called war on drugs, recently intensified by US President Donald Trump.
Venezuela’s response was swift. Between Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday (19), at least 2,500 military personnel, 12 Navy ships, 22 aircraft, and at least 20 boats were deployed to La Orchila Island, north of Venezuela. This small island measures approximately 43 square kilometers and is located 97 nautical miles off the coast of La Guaira, very close to the capital, Caracas.
These exercises are intended to “increase operational readiness” in response to a possible “threat” posed by the U.S. deployment in the region, Vladimir Padrino López, the South American country’s defense minister, said on social media.
Venezuela’s response also includes the deployment of 25,000 soldiers to the borders, and 284 battle fronts have already been activated nationwide, according to the country’s armed forces.
For both countries, escalating these drills to the media represents a strategic tool to sway social acceptance. For this reason, Venezuela’s rapid response is a direct deterrent. Meanwhile, the Southern Command’s message is accompanied by striking sounds laden with symbolism, such as the ticking of a clock in the background, which can be interpreted as a countdown.
Stills from the video released by the Venezuelan Armed Forces
The US video shows the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit conducting amphibious landing drills in Puerto Rico. The operation includes the use of AA-7P amphibious tanks, landing craft, and helicopter air support, projecting a capability for power projection. However, this is not the only military exercise that has been carried out recently.
Just last Monday (15), the US and Panamanian Air Forces launched their “humanitarian aid” strategy called AMISTAD 2025 at the Dr. Gustavo Nelson Collado Hospital in Chitré.
The mission, which ran from September 15 to 25, marks the fifth and final stop of AMISTAD 2025, an initiative that strengthens alliances in Peru, Suriname, Paraguay, and El Salvador. This initiative is part of the Southern Command Strategy implemented since 2008 and renewed in 2018 after the completion of the “2018 United States Southern Command Strategy: Friendship and Cooperation for the Americas,” adding since then the fight against what they call Illicit Transnational Networks.
At the same time, on Monday (15) and until October 6, the 66th edition of the UNITAS LXVI military exercise also began at the Mayport Naval Base in Florida, bringing together military personnel from 25 partner countries in Europe, the Caribbean, North, Central, and South America, along with units from the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. According to U.S. senior commanders, the goal is to strengthen interoperability, improve maritime security, and foster collaboration in the region through this exercise, in which at least 8,000 military personnel will participate.
This exercise, which is normally held in South America, is being held for the first time at a U.S. Marine Corps facility, from Florida to North Carolina and Virginia, with combined phases of amphibious assault operations at strategic bases such as Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base, Norfolk Naval Station, and Mayport Naval Station. The nations participating in the amphibious part of the exercise include Argentina, Brazil, Belize, Colombia, Chile, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Morocco, Paraguay, Peru, and Spain.
Mexico, through the Mexican Navy Task Force, is participating with 425 naval personnel, of whom 70 are women and 355 are men, aboard the amphibious warship ARM “Papaloapan” (A-411), the Ocean Patrol ARM “Oaxaca” (PO-161), the Panther helicopter (ANX-2160), as well as components of Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIO); Search and Rescue (SAR); Coastal Operations, and Special Forces.
“UNITAS is a first-rate event for us, as it allows us to train alongside our allies and partners in a combined force,” said Lieutenant General Leonard F. Anderson IV, commander of the United States Marine Corps Forces.
“This year’s exercise will help us become a more integrated naval expeditionary force with the U.S. Navy and leverage the amphibious and littoral combat power of all participants. I am very proud of the work done in the largest UNITAS ever, which we also have the pleasure of hosting,” Lt. Gen. Anderson said.
Although the Southern Command frames these exercises as part of its “regional security and cooperation strategy” and the fight against drug trafficking, various analysts agree that the message goes far beyond that stated objective.
Meanwhile, the exchange of videos between the US and Venezuela are hardly more than military demonstrations established in their military doctrines as deterrence and strategic communication. However, in geopolitical terms, these media bombardments represent moves on a chessboard where certain inclinations of various nations may be seen.
Original text by Santiago Navarro F. published by Avispa Midia on September 19th, 2025.
Translation by Schools for Chiapas.