The deployment of 10 additional F-35 stealth fighter jets to Puerto Rico marks a significant escalation of the United States’ military posture in the southern Caribbean at a time of heightened tensions with Venezuela. With these reinforcements, the US now maintains not only advanced aerial capabilities but also a robust naval and ground presence consisting of seven warships and over 4,500 sailors and Marines. The move underscores Washington’s readiness to deter what it views as provocative maneuvers by Caracas, particularly after a recent incident involving a Venezuelan fighter jet flying close to a US Navy warship.
While President Donald Trump sought to downplay speculation of an outright regime change operation, his administration’s rhetoric indicates sustained pressure on President Nicolás Maduro. Trump referred to Venezuela’s disputed 2024 elections as “very strange,” echoing Washington’s long-standing position that Maduro’s legitimacy is questionable. Maduro, for his part, accused the US of threatening “regime change through military threat” but simultaneously called for dialogue, emphasizing that differences should not spiral into armed confrontation.
The military buildup is further framed by Washington as part of a broader campaign against drug trafficking networks. The Trump administration has repeatedly linked Maduro to narcotics operations, most notably accusing him of overseeing the Tren de Aragua gang, which the US designated as a terrorist organisation earlier this year. Although Maduro has dismissed these allegations and claimed the gang was dismantled in 2023, US officials have argued that Venezuela remains a central hub for transnational drug routes.
Trump has also justified the military presence in terms of domestic security, likening the toll of overdose deaths in the US to wartime losses. By positioning the anti-narcotics drive as a national security imperative, the White House has framed the Caribbean buildup not merely as a geopolitical maneuver but as a defensive necessity for protecting American lives.
According to Pentagon officials, the newly deployed F-35 jets are scheduled to arrive in Puerto Rico by late next week. Meanwhile, Marines from the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit have been conducting amphibious exercises and flight operations, signaling that Washington is both prepared for deterrence and capable of projecting force quickly in the region if needed.
