Contents
The Situation in the Caribbean Sea
Tensions are rising in the Southern Caribbean, near the coasts of Venezuela and Colombia. The United States Navy has been attacking vessels it claims are part of narco-terrorism networks smuggling cocaine into North America.
Since September 2024, the U.S. has reportedly conducted over 30 strikes, declaring before Congress that it is engaged in a “non-international armed conflict.”
In simple terms, it’s not a war between states but between the U.S. and drug cartels operating across the Caribbean.
These bombings are being justified as part of maritime security operations, but they raise a big question under UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) —
👉 Can a country legally attack vessels in international waters on grounds of self-defense?
Why Venezuela Is in the Spotlight
Venezuela has been trapped in a severe political and economic crisis since 2015. The U.S. has openly called for a “regime change”, accusing President Nicolás Maduro of drug trafficking and even placing a $15 million bounty on him.
The Venezuelan government, in turn, accuses Washington of preparing for military intervention using U.S. naval bases in nearby Caribbean islands — Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and the U.S. Virgin Islands — as forward operating hubs.
Understanding the “Cocaine Triangle”
You’ve probably heard of the Golden Triangle (Myanmar–Thailand–Laos) and Golden Crescent (Iran–Afghanistan–Pakistan), Asia’s famous drug belts.
South America has its own version — the Cocaine Triangle, covering Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, and parts of Bolivia.
Here’s the breakdown:
- Colombia produces nearly 70% of the world’s cocaine, made from the coca plant, which thrives in warm, humid climates on the eastern slopes of the Andes.
- Major growing areas include Putumayo (Peru), Catatumbo (Colombia), and the Orinoco–Meta river basins.
Because Venezuela’s borders are porous and governance is weak, the country has become a major transit hub for cocaine headed to the U.S.
The Routes of Cocaine Trade
Pacific Route: From Colombia’s western coast to California along the Pacific.
- Caribbean Route: From Venezuelan ports like Maracaibo and La Guaira, through Trinidad & Tobago, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic, eventually reaching Florida and Miami.
The U.S. claims these routes pose a national security threat, justifying its defensive strikes on vessels in the region.
The Legal and Geopolitical Questions
This situation blurs the line between law enforcement and military intervention.
Key questions under international law include:
- Can a country attack ships in international waters under the pretext of self-defense?
- Does this violate UNCLOS principles and the sovereignty of coastal nations?
- Could this be a prelude to intervention in Venezuela?
Venezuela and Colombia have condemned the U.S. actions as unilateral use of force.
The U.S. defends them as operations against Designated Terrorist Organizations (DTOs) such as Tren de Aragua, which Washington calls the “Al-Qaeda of the Western Hemisphere.”
Why This Matters for UPSC Aspirants
This conflict links multiple areas of the UPSC syllabus:
1. Geography of Drug Trade:
Location-based understanding of the Golden Triangle, Golden Crescent, and Cocaine Triangle.
2. International Relations:
U.S. foreign policy, Latin American geopolitics, and maritime law (UNCLOS).
3. Current Affairs:
How drug routes and naval control shape regional security and diplomacy.
Understanding this case helps aspirants connect physical geography, international law, and foreign policy — a skill vital for GS Paper 1 and Paper 2 in Mains.
In Short
The U.S.–Venezuela standoff isn’t just a political dispute — it’s a live example of how geography shapes global conflicts. From crops to coasts, trade to territory, the Caribbean’s map explains its wars.
FAQs
- #CocaineTriangle – What is the Cocaine Triangle, and how is it linked to the US–Venezuela conflict?
- #UNCLOS – Why is the U.S. attacking vessels in the Caribbean Sea?
- #UPSCGeography – How does the Cocaine Triangle fit into the UPSC syllabus?
- #Geopolitics – What are the broader geopolitical implications of this standoff?
