Vice Adm. Patrick J. Hannifin took over for Vice Adm. Fred W. Kacher as commander of the U.S. 7th Fleet, which covers the Navy’s largest operations area.
Troops will set traps and assist local hunters but won't use firearms. Over 100 people have been injured and at least 12 killed in attacks since April.
The US military carried out a sixth strike on a suspected drug-smuggling boat in the Caribbean, killing one and leaving two survivors, sources told the AP.