Archive · 14 Sep 2025
U.S. Deploys F-35s to Puerto Rico Amid Venezuela Tensions
The U.S. is sending advanced F-35 fighter jets to Puerto Rico.
This is happening amidst rising tensions with Venezuela and is part of a larger military build-up in the Caribbean.
Helicopters, Osprey aircraft, and transport planes are also arriving.
The deployment follows a visit from U.S. officials.
One aim is to counter drug cartels, and the U.S. military has previously struck vessels suspected of drug trafficking.
These fighter jets would be useful in any combat against Venezuela's air force.
Five U.S. F-35 fighter jets landed in Puerto Rico.
The jets arrived at the former Roosevelt Roads military base.
The deployment is part of a wider military buildup in the Caribbean.
Defense officials visited Puerto Rico earlier in the week.
The buildup is aimed at countering drug cartels and amid rising tensions with Venezuela.
- Who
- U.S. military
- What
- Deployed F-35 fighter jets
- When
- Recently
- Where
- Puerto Rico
- Why
- Counter drug cartels amid tensions with Venezuela
Venezuela's Stance
U.S. Stance
Incident with fishing vessel
Venezuela's Stance
Venezuela claims U.S. forces illegally boarded and occupied a Venezuelan tuna fishing vessel.
U.S. Stance
U.S. officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the alleged incident.
- Event
- Deployment of F-35 fighter jets
- Location
- Puerto Rico (Ceiba)
- Aircraft
- F-35 fighter jets
- Additional Assets
- Helicopters, Osprey aircraft, transport planes
- Reason
- Military buildup
- Tensions
- Venezuela, drug cartels
Sources
How Trump’s ‘War on Drugs’ buildup against Venezuela has a hidden agenda
Venezuela says the U.S. intercepted and boarded a Venezuelan tuna vessel in a “hostile” manner
Venezuela accuses US of 'illegally' seizing a fishing boat for 8 hrs in its waters
People killed in US boat strike were not Tren de Aragua, Venezuela minister says
US F-35s seen landing in Puerto Rico amid Venezuela tensions
Venezuela says US navy raided a tuna boat in Caribbean as tensions rise
Air strikes in the Caribbean: Trump’s murky narco-war
Five US F-35 jets land in Puerto Rico amid rising tensions with Venezuela
