The United States has stationed F-35 stealth fighter jets in Puerto Rico amid indications that President Donald Trump is contemplating military action against drug cartels operating within Venezuela.
Ten of these sophisticated jets are reportedly being deployed as part of Washington’s intensified efforts to combat Latin American cartels, which it labels as “narco-terrorist” organizations.
According to US media reports, the Trump administration is considering direct strikes on trafficking groups inside Venezuela, a decision that would significantly heighten already strained relations with President Nicolás Maduro’s government.
Maduro urged Washington to “abandon its plan of violent regime change” and to respect Venezuela’s sovereignty. He warned that any attack would trigger an “armed struggle,” while mobilizing the country’s 340,000 soldiers along with claimed millions of reservists and militia.
Trump, however, refuted claims of pursuing regime change, instead casting doubt on the legitimacy of Venezuela’s most recent presidential election.
The deployment of the F-35s complements a significant US naval presence in the southern Caribbean, which includes at least seven warships, thousands of Marines, and a nuclear-powered submarine positioned near Venezuelan waters.
On Thursday, the Pentagon accused Caracas of a “highly provocative” act after two Venezuelan F-16s allegedly flew close to the guided-missile destroyer USS Jason Dunham. Trump warned that US forces were authorized to shoot down any Venezuelan jets perceived as a threat.
The situation follows a US strike earlier this week, when American forces destroyed a speedboat in the Caribbean allegedly linked to Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan criminal organization. Trump stated that 11 people were killed, while Caracas denounced the attack as an “extrajudicial killing.”
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the aggressive stance, asserting that drug cartels represent a direct threat. “What will stop them is when you blow them up, when you get rid of them,” he said during a visit to Mexico.
A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.
Nnamdi Okoli