The Pentagon announced a planned visit by Secretary Pete Hegseth to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, on Wednesday for meetings with the country's top leadership to strengthen defense relations.

This is stated in an official statement of the American ministry, distributed on Tuesday, Ukrinform reports.

The US military department noted that Hegseth is scheduled to meet with the president of the island nation, as well as the secretary of defense and members of the republic's government. The talks will be aimed at strengthening defense relations and reaffirming America's commitment to defending itself and regional partners, as well as ensuring stability and security throughout the Americas, the Pentagon noted.

The US is currently concentrating a large strike force in the Caribbean region.

As Ukrinform reported, over a week ago, the United States, on the orders of President Trump, launched Operation Southern Spear, the stated goal of which is to eliminate drug cartels in Central and South America and the Caribbean.