When a US aircraft carrier arrives in the Caribbean next week, there will be 14,500 American troops in and around Puerto Rico. The Trump administration says it's aimed at curbing drug trafficking. But many fear something much bigger to come.

San Juan

The United States has increased its military presence in Puerto Rico and the wider Caribbean, deploying thousands of troops and advanced military assets, including the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford. This move has revived memories of past U.S. interventions in the region, such as those in the Dominican Republic, Grenada, and Panama, and has led to the reactivation of previously closed military bases.

While the Trump administration frames the buildup as part of anti-drug operations, analysts and local residents express skepticism and concern about the potential for escalation, particularly with U.S. attention focused on Venezuela. Reports indicate covert operations and regime change objectives, raising fears that the situation could deteriorate into open conflict, which many in the region oppose.

Fears of conflict in Caribbean amid U.S military build-up

When the U.S. military moves into the Caribbean, history suggests there's reason for rivals to worry. With thousands of newly arrived American troops on the ground and the most lethal ship in the world on its way, the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford, Puerto Ricans see a familiar pattern. U.S. troops have descended on Puerto Rico before, ahead of invasions of the Dominican Republic in 1965. This soon outran our hopes for peace. Grenada in 1983. To restore order and democracy to Grenada. And Panama in 1989. To defend democracy in Panama. Now the surging U.S. forces are stationed here on land and on ships in the Caribbean, with their sights set on Venezuela. On the ground, the U.S. aircraft are using two American bases that have been closed for years, flying attack and reconnaissance drones from the Raimi Air Force Base and flying missions from Roosevelt Road's Naval Station. After years of protests against the U.S. military presence in Puerto Rico, the Roosevelt Road's Naval Station closed in 2004. But now it's been reactivated. And for many here, the sight of military planes and helicopters brings back some unwelcome memories. Some roads leading to the base are now overgrown. Out on the tarmac are U.S. military cargo planes and F-35 fighter jets. One soaring overhead. It has made that past experience of the 60-plus years of occupation and the bombings and the civil disobedience and the protests has made the current moment for many painful, traumatic and completely unacceptable. Some say the buildup is good for business. Because there's going to be jobs and, you know, a lot of opportunities for a lot of people. The Trump administration frames the military buildup as an anti-drug operation and has blown up more than a dozen suspected drug-trafficking ships at sea, a tactic many analysts question. You do not use lethal force unless they are firing on you or you feel that your own safety is in jeopardy. And that is just not what's happening here. This really actually does fit the definition of an extrajudicial execution or even just plain murder. President Trump denies that he has approved action on Venezuelan soil. There are reports that you are considering strikes within Venezuela. Is that true? No. That you made a decision on that? No, it's not true. But he's already authorized covert CIA operations inside Venezuela. U.S. officials have told reporters the ultimate goal is a regime change that would topple President Nicolas Maduro. What comes next could be a real chaos and a breakdown of the internal security situation in Venezuela. And, of course, in that scenario, the United States would have to assume a huge responsibility. As U.S. forces build up across the Caribbean, many here worry that what began as a show of force could end in another war the region doesn't want. John Hendren, Al Jazeera, Ceiba, Puerto Rico.

Egypt's historic treasures can be found in famous museums all around the world. Those in Egypt's possession, though, finally have an institution with the space to house and display them properly. The Grand Egyptian Museum is set to fully open its doors this week.

Cairo

Historic Grand Egyptian Museum set to open

Voters in New York, New Jersey, Virginia and California have already hit the polls for early voting before election day on Nov. 4. CBS News producer Jared Ochacher is following the New York City mayoral race.

New York

Mamdani commands double-digit lead over opponents in NYC mayoral race

The two-day APEC summit in South Korea has wrapped up with President Lee Jae Myung handing over hosting duties to China. Chinese President Xi Jinping has announced the southern city of Shenzhen as the site for next year's summit.

Seoul

Rise of AI

Global Tariffs

APEC summit ends, Trump and Xi reach truce in trade war

The coastal town of Black River, described by the Jamaican government as Hurricane Melissa's "ground zero," lies devastated after one of the most powerful Atlantic storms on record tore through the island, claiming at least 19 lives and leaving a trail of unprecedented destruction.

Black River

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FBI Director Kash Patel announced an operation that apparently "thwarted a potential terrorist attack" during Halloween weekend in Michigan. CBS News' Scott MacFarlane has more.

Dearborn

Patel says FBI stopped a potential "terror attack" in Michigan

Washington and Beijing are "in agreement on many things," U.S. President Donald Trump said after the face-to-face meeting that lasted nearly two hours, the first between both leaders in six years.

Busan

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U.S. President Donald Trump ordered the resumption of nuclear weapons tests for the first time since 1992. A day earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia had successfully tested a nuclear-powered super torpedo.

Washington

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Sudan and the UAE clash at the UN Security Council—Khartoum accuses Abu Dhabi of funding the RSF amid reports of atrocities.

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Gyeongju-si

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Microsoft, Meta and Alphabet recently reported their quarterly earnings and one thing is certain: the jaw-dropping investments in artificial intelligence are only just getting started. This all comes just days after Nvidia became the world's first-ever $5 trillion company.

California

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CBS News has confirmed that the Pentagon ordered all state National Guards to form what they're calling "quick reaction forces" available for rapid deployments to address potential civil unrest.

Pentagon orders state National Guards to form rapid response units

Taylor Taranto has been sentenced to time served plus 36 months of supervised release after being convicted of threatening former President Barack Obama. He was also pardoned on Jan. 6 Capitol rioting charges by President Trump earlier this year.

Taylor Taranto sentenced to time served for Obama threat

Authorities have charged five people in connection with the overdose deaths of three 19-year-olds, including Leandro De Niro-Rodriguez, the grandson of actor Robert De Niro.

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Prince Andrew is being stripped of his royal titles and must move out of his mansion, Buckingham Palace announced on Thursday. Andrew has come under intense scrutiny over his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

London

Prince Andrew stripped of royal titles over Jeffrey Epstein ties

French police have now detained seven people over the robbery at France's landmark museum on 19 October.

Paris

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U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Thursday that China has approved a TikTok transfer deal. CBS News White House reporter Willie James Inman has more.

Treasury Secretary Bessent says China approved TikTok transfer deal

As Hurricane Melissa continues its trail of death and devastation through the Caribbean, Jamaica is taking stock. With over 75% of the country without power and $22 billion in damage, experts estimate recovery could take a decade.

Kingston

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House lawmakers have been told their paychecks will be delayed until Congress passes a new funding bill. CBS News congressional reporter Taurean Small has the latest on the government shutdown.

House lawmakers' paychecks delayed until government reopens

Israeli planes and tanks pounded areas in eastern Gaza on Thursday (October 30), Palestinian residents and witnesses said, a day after Israel said it remained committed to a U.S.-backed ceasefire despite launching more lethal bombardments in the territory.

Jerusalem

Middle East Conflict

Israel strikes Gaza after asserting commitment to ceasefire

In the Netherlands, the centrist D66 party looks on course to beat the far right in the national election. Exit polls have predicted Rob Jetten's party will claim victory, which could lead him to become the country's youngest ever prime minister.

Amsterdam

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President Donald Trump ordered the U.S. military on Thursday (October 30) to immediately resume testing nuclear weapons after a gap of 33 years, minutes before beginning a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Trump tells Pentagon to resume testing U.S. nuclear weapons

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Trump, Xi Jinping meet face-to-face in South Korea over trade

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Ottawa

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After leaving Jamaica with widespread power outages and flooding, Melissa caused fatal flooding in Haiti that has killed 25 people and hit Cuba with a storm surge.

Port-au-Prince

Hurricane Melissa causes floods in Haiti, killing at least 25

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Moscow

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The Justice Department has put D.C. prosecutors on leave after they submitted a court memo describing those who attacked the Capitol on January 6, 2021 as "rioters." The filing was in a case involving Taylor Taranto, who was part of the Capitol riot and is currently facing unrelated weapons charges.

DOJ sidelines prosecutors over Jan. 6 'rioters' court filing

Sean Grayson, the former Illinois sheriff's deputy who shot and killed Sonya Massey in her home in 2024, was found guilty of second-degree murder.

Breakdown