Washington (EFE).- The United States Department of Defense confirmed Thursday the deployment of next-generation F-35B Lightning II fighter jets to Puerto Rico as part of an anti-narcotics operation in the Caribbean, a move Venezuela denounced as an attempt to push for regime change in Caracas.
The Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 225 aircraft landed earlier this week at José Aponte de la Torre Regional Airport, the former Roosevelt Roads naval base in Ceiba, northeastern Puerto Rico.
“The F-35B Lightning II jets from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 225 are now in Puerto Rico. They are ready to fight against the cartels whose illicit activities have had devastating consequences for Americans for decades,” the Pentagon said in a statement on X.
The F-35B variant is capable of short takeoff and vertical landing, enabling operations from three US Navy ships currently stationed in the southern Caribbean.
Local reports earlier this week indicated that at least five fighter jets had arrived at the former base, signaling Washington’s commitment to bolstering its military presence in the region.
United States President Donald Trump said this week that the operation destroyed a second drug boat, killing its three occupants, whom Washington described as Venezuelan “narcoterrorists” transporting narcotics.
The US government has presented the initiative as a cornerstone of its strategy to curb drug trafficking networks.
However, experts have questioned its effectiveness, noting that the Caribbean is not a major route for drug shipments into the United States compared to Central America and Mexico.
Caracas sharply criticized the deployment, calling it a direct threat. In response, Venezuela launched military exercises on La Orchila island in the Caribbean.
“The US operation represents a threat to our sovereignty and is part of Washington’s plan to destabilize Venezuela,” Venezuelan officials said. EFE
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