U.S. Deploys Advanced Stealth Fighters to Puerto Rico in Major Anti-Drug Operation
CEIBA, Puerto Rico – In a significant escalation of its counter-narcotics efforts, the United States has deployed ten F-35B Lightning II stealth fighter jets to Puerto Rico as part of a major offensive targeting drug cartels with links to Venezuela.
The advanced fifth-generation aircraft, operated by the U.S. Marine Corps, arrived at the former Roosevelt Roads Naval Station on September 13, 2025. They were deployed from Marine Corps Air Station Yuma in Arizona under the orders of President Donald Trump.
This deployment is a central component of a broader military operation that includes eight naval vessels and approximately 4,500 Marines. The move comes on the heels of recent U.S. airstrikes against cartel vessels and heightened tensions following Venezuelan military aircraft conducting flyovers near American ships.
The Pentagon has stated the primary objective is to disrupt and dismantle key fentanyl trafficking routes, which often originate in South America and pass through the Caribbean. The F-35B’s advanced surveillance and strike capabilities are expected to provide a major advantage in tracking and interdicting drug shipments.
While the operation signals a robust military response, President Trump has denied any intentions of pursuing regime change in Venezuela. However, he has not ruled out the possibility of authorizing strikes inside Venezuelan territory if deemed necessary to target cartel leadership and infrastructure.
The government of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has condemned the U.S. actions, accusing Washington of a blatant violation of its sovereignty and international law. This deployment further intensifies the already strained diplomatic relations between the two nations.
The choice of Puerto Rico’s Roosevelt Roads as a forward operating base underscores the island’s strategic importance for U.S. military operations in the Caribbean and South American theater.
