US Ramps Up Naval Presence In The Caribbean

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News Americas, WASHINGTON, D.C., Tues. Sept. 23, 2025: As Caribbean leaders gather at the 80th United Nations General Assembly, (UNGA), the United States Donald Trump administration has added yet another warship in the region, bringing the number of U.S. Naval surface vessels in the region to eight.

The US Navy’s USS Stockdale, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, docked at the Frigate Captain Noel Antonio Rodriguez Justavino Naval Base, near entrance to the Panama Canal in Panama City, Panama, on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025. Last week, US President Donald Trump said the US military had knocked off a third drug boat from Venezuela, despite the Pentagon so far only detailing two such strikes. Photographer: Enea Lebrun/Bloomberg via Getty Images

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Stockdale (DDG-106) is now operating in Caribbean waters, U.S. Navy sources confirmed to USNI News, after a port stop in Panama over the weekend. The destroyer joins USS Jason Dunham (DDG-109) and USS Gravely (DDG-107), forming a powerful destroyer presence in the area.

The Navy’s buildup in the Caribbean currently includes:

Three guided-missile destroyers – Stockdale, Jason Dunham, and Gravely

USS Lake Erie (CG-70), a guided-missile cruiser

USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul (LCS-21), a Littoral Combat Ship

The Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, which includes USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7), USS Fort Lauderdale (LPD-28), and USS San Antonio (LPD-17)

Earlier reports also noted the presence of at least one U.S. nuclear attack submarine in the region, though the Pentagon has not confirmed its current location.

The amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima was spotted near Guayama, Puerto Rico last Thursday, where it was conducting exercises as part of its deployment.

Part of a Wider Strategy

This show of force is part of what the Trump administration calls its “revamped approach” to countering transnational drug trafficking. Traditionally, maritime counter-narcotics enforcement is the responsibility of the U.S. Coast Guard, which regularly partners with the Navy to interdict shipments.

According to the Coast Guard, its teams have seized over 75,000 pounds of cocaine in the Eastern Pacific since launching Operation Pacific Viper on August 8th. Navy ships operating in the Caribbean often embark Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachments, (LEDETs) to board and search suspicious vessels.

U.S. Northern Command has been tasked with coordinating these operations, which now feature a much heavier Navy presence than in previous years. Analysts say the deployment of destroyers, cruisers, and amphibious ships sends a signal that Washington is willing to escalate its interdiction efforts beyond traditional Coast Guard operations.

Strikes on Suspected Smuggling Vessels

In a more aggressive turn, the Pentagon has confirmed that U.S. forces have carried out at least three lethal strikes in recent weeks on boats suspected of being linked to Venezuelan cartel operations, leading to some 14 people being killed. Few details have been released about the strikes, and Pentagon spokespersons have frequently referred press inquiries to the White House.

President Trump personally announced the most recent strike via a post on Truth Social, calling it part of his administration’s effort to “end the flow of poison into America.”

Questions Raised About Legal Authority

The heightened U.S. military presence and targeted strikes have raised questions in Congress and among international law experts about whether these actions fall within accepted norms. While the administration frames the effort as part of its border security policy, critics have argued that such strikes may constitute acts of war and could set a precedent for expanded military engagement in the Caribbean.

Still, the administration appears determined to maintain pressure.

With eight surface ships now operating in the region, the Caribbean has become one of the most militarized zones in the Western Hemisphere — a development that regional observers warn could inflame tensions with neighbors such as Venezuela and Cuba.

Meanwhile, at the UN, Colombian President Gustavo Petro on Tuesday called for a criminal investigation into the three strikes ordered by President Trump on ships allegedly transporting narcotics in the Caribbean.

“Criminal proceedings must be opened against those officials, who are from the U.S., even if it includes the highest-ranking official who gave the order: President Trump,” Petro said during his speech before the U.N. General Assembly.

This as Venezuela deployed over 2,500 troops and Russian-made fighter jets to La Orchila for military exercises, escalating tensions after Trump announced further US attacks on Venezuelan vessels. Venezuela deployed more than 2,500 troops to the Caribbean island of La Orchila for military exercises featuring Russian-made fighter jets armed with anti-ship missiles, escalating tensions after President Donald Trump announced US attacks on three Venezuelan vessels.

Venezuelan Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino said the “Caribe Soberano 200” manoeuvres involve 12 ships, 22 aircraft and around 20 vessels conducting amphibious landings and air operations. State television broadcast images of the exercises, which began in response to US warship deployments in the region.

Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro said Tuesday he is considering declaring a national state of emergency, citing what he called growing “aggressions and threats” from the United States amid an expanded U.S. military deployment in the Caribbean.

Bob Marley Tops Billboard Reggae Albums Chart Again

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BY NAN ET EDITOR

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Weds. Sept. 24, 2025: Forty-one years after its first release, Bob Marley & The Wailers’ iconic compilation album Legend is once again the number-one record on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart, proving that the King of Reggae remains as relevant and beloved as ever.

Originally released in 1984 by Island Records, Legend has become the definitive gateway to Marley’s music for generations of fans. Featuring timeless anthems such as “No Woman, No Cry,” “Redemption Song,” “Get Up, Stand Up,” and “One Love/People Get Ready,” the album has spent more than 900 weeks on the Billboard 200 chart, peaking at #5 and currently sitting at #126 — a testament to its staying power across decades and demographics.

Billboard’s Reggae Albums chart ranks the top-selling reggae albums in the United States based on multi-metric consumption, including traditional album sales, track equivalent albums, and streaming equivalent albums. For the week ending Sept. 20, 2025, Marley’s Legend beat out newer releases, underscoring its cross-generational appeal and its status as the genre’s most successful album of all time.

Globally, Legend has sold more than 25 million copies, including over 18 million in the United States alone, making it the best-selling reggae album in history. Its ongoing success is remarkable given the rapid turnover of music trends and the dominance of streaming platforms. For reggae fans, it is more than just an album — it is a cultural touchstone, a reminder of Marley’s message of unity, love, and resistance.

Part of what makes Legend unique is its careful curation. Compiled posthumously three years after Marley’s death, the album intentionally selected tracks that highlighted Marley’s universal themes and melodic strength, making his music accessible to listeners who may have been discovering reggae for the first time. The result was a collection that transcended borders and became a mainstay at record stores, in homes, and later, on digital playlists worldwide.

Streaming has only amplified its reach. Songs from Legend consistently rank among the most-streamed reggae tracks globally, with “Three Little Birds” and “Could You Be Loved” frequently appearing in viral moments on TikTok and Instagram, introducing Marley to yet another generation. Spotify reports that listeners under 30 make up a growing share of Marley’s audience — proof that his music continues to inspire long after its original release.

The album’s latest return to the top spot is also a reminder of Marley’s unmatched cultural influence. His music has soundtracked movements for justice, peace, and equality across continents. From anti-apartheid rallies to present-day climate protests, Marley’s lyrics remain rallying cries for freedom.

Fans and industry observers say the chart milestone feels especially poignant as the world continues to grapple with conflict and division. Marley’s message — “One love, one heart, let’s get together and feel all right” — is as necessary today as it was in the 1970s.

Meanwhile, Marley’s family and estate continue to honor his legacy with new projects, including remastered vinyl editions, limited-edition box sets, and immersive digital experiences. The Bob Marley Museum in Kingston, Jamaica, has reported record attendance in 2025, and the Marley brand continues to expand into fashion, cannabis, and wellness products, keeping his spirit alive in both culture and commerce.

Forty-one years on, Legend is not just an album — it’s a movement that refuses to fade. Its latest return to #1 is proof that Bob Marley’s music is immortal, and that the heartbeat of reggae continues to echo around the world.

U.S. Lawmakers Question ExxonMobil’s Tax Breaks From Guyana Oil Deal

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By NAN Business Editor

News Americas, WASHINGTON, D.C., Weds. Sept. 24, 2025: The political and fiscal stakes around Guyana’s oil boom just got sharper. Three U.S. Senators have put ExxonMobil in the hot seat, demanding clarity on whether the terms of its 2016 Stabroek Block Petroleum Agreement (PA) with Guyana are allowing the oil giant to reduce its U.S. federal tax liability at the expense of American taxpayers.

The ExxonMobil Guyana offices at 86 Duke Street in Georgetown, Guyana. Photographer: Jose A. Alvarado Jr./Bloomberg via Getty Images

In a detailed September 23rd letter to ExxonMobil Chairman and CEO Darren Woods, Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (Rhode Island), Chris Van Hollen (Maryland), and Jeff Merkley (Oregon) raised alarms over how the company’s cost recovery terms and Guyana’s arrangement to pay ExxonMobil’s income tax from its share of profit oil could amount to a U.S.-backed subsidy for foreign oil production.

“American taxpayers may be subsidizing ExxonMobil’s foreign oil production, which they do in partnership with a Chinese state-owned company,” the senators wrote, noting ExxonMobil’s joint operations with Hess (now Chevron-owned) and CNOOC that produce roughly 900,000 barrels per day offshore Guyana.

The Core Issue: Tax Credits and Cost Recovery
Under the 2016 PA, ExxonMobil and partners recover up to 75 percent of oil revenue as cost oil until their investment is recouped, with the remaining 25 percent split with the government. Crucially, Guyana pays ExxonMobil’s taxes from its own profit oil share — a structure critics say allows the company to count those payments as foreign tax credits (FTCs) and shrink its U.S. tax bill.

The senators argue that U.S. “dual capacity” rules, which apply when companies both pay taxes and receive economic benefits abroad (like drilling rights), may be exploited to turn what is essentially a subsidy into a creditable tax expense.

Billions in Potential Impact
The lawmakers point to a 2024 U.S. Treasury proposal that would have closed this loophole, limiting the FTC portion to what a non-dual capacity taxpayer would owe. Treasury estimated that closing the gap would save U.S. taxpayers $71.5 billion over ten years.

They warn that without reform, contracts like Guyana’s allow multinationals to structure payments in ways that “blur the distinction” between taxes and economic benefits, resulting in tax advantages unavailable to ordinary businesses.

A Bigger Debate: Climate, Sovereignty and Subsidies
The letter contextualizes Guyana’s oil development in broader climate terms, noting that “Guyana, a former climate leader, has embraced oil as a route to prosperity, even as sea level rise could claim its capital, Georgetown, by 2030.”

It also touches on political optics: at a time when the U.S. IMF estimates $600 billion in annual fossil fuel subsidies, the senators argue that ExxonMobil — which has invested over $60 billion in Guyana’s seven approved offshore projects — does not need further tax breaks, especially when partnered with a Chinese state firm.

Demand for Transparency
The senators submitted seven detailed questions, requesting ExxonMobil clarify whether it directly paid any Guyanese income taxes in 2023 or 2024, or if all payments were made on its behalf. They seek a full accounting of how these payments are treated under U.S. tax rules, with responses due by October 23, 2025.

This latest development comes as Guyana is projected to become the world’s fastest-growing oil producer through 2035, with production expected to reach 1.5 million barrels per day by 2029. How ExxonMobil answers could influence not only public perception of its role in Guyana’s boom, but also U.S. tax policy toward multinational oil producers going forward.

In 2024, the oil extracted and sold totaled US$18 billion. To put that in context, Guyana’s 2025 budget was US$6.6 billion. Thus, distortions in the oil consortium’s financial statements are materially significant for Guyana.