Posted: Friday, September 5, 2025. 1:21 pm CST.
By Zoila Palma: The United States has ordered the deployment of 10 F-35 fighter jets to a Puerto Rico airfield to bolster operations against drug cartels in the Caribbean, according to U.S. officials.
The move significantly increases U.S. military presence in the region and has heightened tensions with Venezuela, Reuters report.
The deployment comes as part of President Donald Trump’s push to crack down on drug trafficking networks accused of funneling narcotics into the United States.
The announcement followed what the Pentagon described as a “highly provocative” encounter between Venezuelan fighter jets and a U.S. Navy warship.
Days earlier, a U.S. strike reportedly sank a vessel from Venezuela, killing 11 people, in what Trump said was an operation against drug smugglers.
The administration has repeatedly accused Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro of running narco-trafficking operations and supporting the Tren de Aragua gang, which Washington labeled a terrorist organization in February — allegations that Caracas has consistently denied.
Military officials said the F-35s are expected to arrive in Puerto Rico by next week to conduct operations against designated narco-terrorist groups.
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The post International News: U.S. deploys 10 F-35 fighter jets to Puerto Rico to bolster operations against drug cartels in Caribbean appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Posted: Friday, September 5, 2025. 1:21 pm CST. By Zoila Palma: The United States has ordered the deployment of 10 F-35 fighter jets to a Puerto
The post International News: U.S. deploys 10 F-35 fighter jets to Puerto Rico to bolster operations against drug cartels in Caribbean appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.