US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Wednesday will visit the Dominican Republic, a close US Caribbean ally, for talks on combatting drug trafficking amid a standoff between Washington and Venezuela, officials said.

The Pentagon confirmed the visit, which comes as President Donald Trump ramps up pressure on his Venezuelan arch-foe Nicolas Maduro, accused by Washington of heading a drug cartel.

Hegseth's office said Tuesday he would meet with Dominican President Luis Abinader, his defense minister and other cabinet members "to strengthen defense relationships and reaffirm America's commitment to defend the homeland, protect our regional partners and ensure stability and security across the Americas."

The announcement came a day after the United States designated an alleged Venezuelan dru

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