The US Secretary of Defense has stated that the American military will maintain its presence in Venezuela, framing the operation as a “Coalition against Cartels.” This follows a recent operation resulting in the death of Niño Guerrero, a key figure in Venezuelan criminal activity. US forces were reportedly “invited” by Venezuela’s interim government, led by Delcy Rodríguez, to participate in the operation. The Secretary of Defense did not elaborate on the specifics of the invitation or the long-term goals of the coalition. This announcement signals a continued US security focus on disrupting cartel operations within Venezuela. The move is likely to draw scrutiny regarding sovereignty and potential escalation of involvement in the region. Further details regarding the nature and scope of the “Coalition against Cartels” remain undisclosed.