2nd MEF in charge of Operations against Venezuela.

 via Compass Points

Earlier this month, the Pentagon disclosed to Congress in a notification reviewed by Reuters that Trump has determined the United States is engaged in “a non-international armed conflict.” The document aimed to explain the Trump administration’s legal rationale for unleashing U.S. military force in the Caribbean.

Less than a week ago, the Pentagon announced its counter-narcotics operations in the region would not be led by the Miami-based Southern Command, which oversees U.S. military activities in Latin America.

Instead, the Pentagon said a task force was being created that would be led by II Marine Expeditionary Force, a unit capable of rapid overseas operations that is based at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.

That decision came as a surprise to U.S. military-watchers, since a combatant command like Southern Command would normally lead any high-profile operations.

On Thursday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the admiral who leads U.S. Southern Command will step down at the end of this year, two years ahead of schedule, in a surprise move.

Article here 

They go on to say this which I found VERY INTERESTING.

If the Marine Corps is going to take charge in the Caribbean, there is something else the Marine Corps needs to do: go and meet in person with the Regional Combatant Commanders and explain to them that taking over the Caribbean task force and sending the SOUTHCOM CCMD into retirement was NOT the Marine Corps’ idea. It is an honor for the MAGTF Marine Corps to be put in charge of the Caribbean task force, but the selection of the Marine Corps to lead the task force must not be allowed to sour good relations with all the Regional Combatant Commands.

This is kinda inside the Pentagon stuff THAT I HAVE NO UNDERSTANDING OF!  But it gives me pause.

Why would the Marine Corps be put in charge of this mission?  Understand that you have a flotilla of Navy ships operating off the coast.  You have CIA involvement.  SOCOM along with the very capable 160th aviation brigade(?) is also operating in the area.

I just have to wonder if this is a case of replacing SOUTHCOM CO with generals that will obey without question.

Some conspiracy (I'm guessing they're conspiracy sites) theorists are claiming that an order was given to attack a yacht that was suspected of  hauling drugs and the former SouthCOM commander refused the order to destroy it and instead gave the advice that it should be disabled and then boarded by Navy SEALs.

From my chair, if true, then that would have been sound advice.  Now what do we have.

The ship is destroyed and two nationals are in custody about to be returned to their home nation without charges.

This thing is gonna be messy. 

 Sometimes you have to know when its better to stow your fangs instead of nailing them into the floorboard.