The majority of member states of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) have expressed concern over the recent military deployment by the United States in the Caribbean, particularly near Venezuelan waters. 

The 21 countries reaffirmed their commitment to Latin America and the Caribbean as a zone of peace, as declared in the 2014 CELAC Summit in Havana.

In a statement, the countries highlight the threat posed by the presence of eight warships, a nuclear-powered submarine, over 4,500 troops, and approximately 1,200 guided missiles. They describe it as a destabilising act that violates international law and regional sovereignty.

While acknowledging the real threat posed by transnational organised crime and drug trafficking, the CELAC countries emphasised that such challenges must be addressed through regional cooperation and respect for international law, not through foreign military deployments.