What prompted the U.S. invasion of Grenada?

The U.S. invasion of Grenada in 1983 was predominantly prompted by concerns about the presence of a communist regime on the island. Following a coup in 1979, a Marxist government led by Maurice Bishop came to power, which created anxiety within the United States and among U.S. allies in the Caribbean due to Cold War dynamics. The Reagan administration viewed this development as part of a broader struggle against communism in the Western Hemisphere, fearing that Grenada could become a base for Soviet influence and intervention in the region.

While the safety of U.S. citizens and the desire to support democracy were also factors in the decision to intervene, the pivotal concern was the ideological implications of a communist government so close to U.S. territory. Therefore, the invasion was framed as a necessary action to prevent the further spread of communism in the Caribbean, solidifying the significance of the communist regime being in power as the key motivator behind the U.S. military action.