Five US F-35 Jets Land Puerto Rico Amid Venezuela Tensions

Five U.S. F-35 stealth fighter jets landed at the former Roosevelt Roads military base in Ceiba, Puerto Rico, as part of President Donald Trump's directive to deploy 10 F-35s to the Caribbean to combat drug cartels and counter regional threats, particularly from Venezuela. This military buildup includes helicopters, Osprey aircraft, transport planes, and thousands of personnel, representing one of the largest U.S. deployments in the Caribbean in years. The operation has already seen lethal action against a Venezuelan vessel allegedly carrying drugs, killing 11 individuals, which Venezuela denies, escalating tensions between the two countries. Venezuela also accused a U.S. destroyer of illegally boarding a Venezuelan fishing boat in its Special Economic Zone, further straining relations. Despite these deployments and increased military activity, Pentagon officials have not announced any formal changes in force posture. The advanced capabilities of the F-35s significantly outmatch Venezuela's aging air force, underscoring U.S. readiness and the administration's focus on narcotics interdiction and regional influence.