Full Breakdown
U.S. Military Operations in the Caribbean: A Focus on Puerto Rico and Venezuela
9/9/2025, 5:56:25 AM
Escalation of U.S. Military Presence in Puerto Rico
On September 4, 2023, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Air Force Gen. Dan Caine arrived in Puerto Rico as part of an intensified U.S. military effort against drug cartels in the Caribbean. Their visit followed the deployment of hundreds of U.S. Marines to the island for training exercises, which has drawn criticism from some local residents. Puerto Rico's Governor Jenniffer González expressed gratitude to President Donald Trump for recognizing the strategic importance of the territory in the fight against drug trafficking and the Venezuelan government, led by Nicolás Maduro.
The U.S. plans to deploy ten F-35 fighter jets to Puerto Rico to support operations targeting drug cartels. This military buildup follows a controversial U.S. strike on a vessel linked to the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, which resulted in eleven fatalities. While some Caribbean leaders, like Trinidad and Tobago's Prime Minister, have supported U.S. actions, others, including Barbadian Foreign Minister Kerrie Symmonds, have called for better communication regarding U.S. military operations.
Local Opposition to Military Exercises
The increased military presence has sparked protests in Puerto Rico, where memories of past U.S. military activities remain fresh. Critics, including members of the group Mothers Against War, have voiced concerns about the implications of using Puerto Rico as a staging ground for U.S. military actions. They argue that the ongoing training exercises, which involve logistics but no live ammunition, could lead to a more permanent military presence on the island.
Governor González has dismissed these concerns, emphasizing the importance of Puerto Rico in U.S. national security efforts. Siul López, a spokesman for Puerto Rico's National Guard, clarified that the current Marine training is unrelated to the recently deployed maritime force, asserting that the exercises were pre-planned.
Venezuela's Response to U.S. Actions
In response to U.S. military operations, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez accused the U.S. of falsely linking her country to the global drug trade. She criticized the U.S. for not addressing drug trafficking within its own borders and suggested that U.S. naval forces should focus on the Pacific, where Colombian cocaine is trafficked. Rodríguez characterized U.S. claims about Venezuela's involvement in drug trafficking as hypocritical and politically motivated.
Maduro's government has consistently denied allegations of drug trafficking, asserting that the U.S. is using these claims as a pretext for intervention. The Venezuelan leadership has warned that U.S. military actions could escalate tensions in the region, with Maduro declaring a "republic in arms" in preparation for potential conflict.
Official Statements & Responses
Governor Jenniffer González stated, “We thank President Trump and his administration for recognizing the strategic importance of Puerto Rico to U.S. national security.” Meanwhile, Delcy Rodríguez remarked, “There’s a lot of hypocrisy, a lot of double standards... to attack, to intervene, to aim for regime change in countries that aren’t sympathetic.”
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While the U.S. military has confirmed the deployment of Marines and F-35 jets to Puerto Rico, details regarding the number of troops involved and the exact timeline of exercises remain unclear. Additionally, there are conflicting perspectives on the effectiveness and motivations behind U.S. military actions in the Caribbean, particularly regarding the alleged links between Venezuela and drug trafficking.
What's Next
As the U.S. continues its military operations in the Caribbean, further developments are anticipated, including potential escalations in military presence and ongoing diplomatic tensions with Venezuela. The situation remains fluid, with local and international reactions likely to shape future U.S. strategies in the region.
