Five U.S. F-35 stealth fighter jets were spotted landing at the former Roosevelt Roads military base in Ceiba, Puerto Rico, on Saturday, reinforcing Washington’s growing military presence in the Caribbean. The move follows President Donald Trump’s order last week to deploy 10 F-35s as part of a strategy to counter drug cartels while also signaling strength amid escalating tensions with Venezuela.
In recent days, helicopters, Ospreys, transport aircraft, and U.S. military personnel have been observed at the base. The sighting came shortly after a surprise visit to Puerto Rico by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and America’s top general, underscoring the importance of the buildup. Although the Pentagon has not confirmed changes in force posture, officials familiar with the matter told Reuters that the deployment is tied to anti-narcotics operations.
Last week, U.S. forces carried out an operation in the southern Caribbean, targeting a vessel from Venezuela allegedly carrying illegal drugs. The strike killed 11 people, marking the first known mission since Washington ramped up naval and air assets in the region. Caracas denied the individuals were drug traffickers, intensifying disputes between the two countries.
On Friday, Venezuela claimed that a U.S. destroyer illegally intercepted and occupied a Venezuelan tuna fishing vessel for eight hours inside its Special Economic Zone. Officials in Caracas described the act as hostile, saying the ship’s nine crew members were ordinary fishermen. U.S. officials have yet to comment on the allegation.
The deployment of advanced F-35 fighter jets highlights U.S. readiness in the Caribbean. Their stealth technology and combat capabilities significantly outweigh Venezuela’s aging fleet, which still operates F-16s. While Washington insists the buildup is focused on counter-narcotics missions, the show of force raises concerns about broader regional tensions.