The United States has dramatically escalated its military presence in the Caribbean, deploying a squadron of 10 F-35 stealth fighter jets to an airfield in Puerto Rico. The move, confirmed by multiple U.S. officials, is part of a wider military campaign against what Washington has designated as “narco-terrorist organizations” linked to the Venezuelan government. The deployment of the highly advanced, fifth-generation aircraft marks the first time such land-based strike fighters have been specifically positioned to operate in the region in this capacity, signaling a new and more aggressive phase of the U.S. anti-drug trafficking mission.
The F-35s will join a formidable naval task force that already includes seven warships, a nuclear submarine, and more than 4,500 sailors and marines. The deployment comes just days after a series of provocative incidents, including a U.S. military strike on a smuggling vessel that killed 11 alleged gang members and two separate flyovers of a U.S. Navy destroyer by armed Venezuelan F-16 fighter jets. Defense officials have described the situation as a “game of chicken,” with both sides refusing to back down.
The decision to use stealth fighters, which are designed for air superiority and penetrating sophisticated enemy air defenses, has raised questions among some military analysts. However, a U.S. defense official told the media that the F-35s were sent to “deter more Venezuelan flyovers” and to be in a position to carry out airstrikes should President Trump order them. The move also carries a significant political dimension, as it serves as a powerful message to the Maduro regime that the U.S. is prepared to use all elements of its military power to achieve its objectives in the region.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have both stated that the military operations against drug cartels will continue, with Rubio ominously adding that similar operations “will happen again.” The U.S. has accused Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro of leading a drug cartel and has placed a $50 million bounty on his head, actions that have been denounced by Caracas as a pretext for invasion.
As the situation develops, the focus remains on the strategic brinkmanship. The deployment of the F-35s makes a miscalculation from either side more dangerous than ever and significantly raises the stakes for the ongoing standoff in the Caribbean.
