WASHINGTON -- WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military has built up an unusually large force in the Caribbean Sea and the waters off the coast of Venezuela since this summer, when the Trump administration first began to shift assets to the region as part of its so-called war against narcoterrorism.

Experts call it "21st-century gunboat diplomacy" as U.S. positions strike-capable forces in Caribbean amid tensions with Maduro regime and cartels.

In less than two months, President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth say the U.S. military has killed 32 people in strikes against drug-smuggling vessels in the Caribbean Sea.

Tropical Storm Melissa is crawling through the Caribbean Sea, threatening to unleash life-threatening flooding and mudslides across parts of the Caribbean later this week. This year’s Atlantic hurricane season is not over yet,

Democrats demand answers from President Donald Trump about military strikes on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean amid growing concerns over legality.

The news that a solid swell was headed for the Caribbean came through last week. Surfline predicted an initial “modest pulse” that would hit Friday and Saturday, producing chest to shoulder-high surf. A few days later, a larger swell was slated to land, which was expected to result in waves as high as double overhead.