WASHINGTON (TNND) — The U.S. is increasing its military footprint in the Caribbean, moving F-35 fighter jets to Puerto Rico after a series of confrontations with Venezuela and escalating strikes against drug cartels.
On Thursday, two Venezuelan F-16 fighter jets buzzed a U.S. Navy destroyer in what the Pentagon called a “provocative flyby.” The maneuver came just days after the U.S. Navy launched a missile strike that sank a vessel allegedly tied to a Venezuelan drug cartel, killing 11 people on board. Defense officials said all of those killed were cartel members.
The legality of the strike has sparked debate internationally, but Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended the move, calling it both justified and necessary. “We have the absolute and complete authority to conduct that,” Hegseth said, comparing the cartels to terrorist organizations like al-Qaeda.
In response to Venezuela’s actions, the Pentagon deployed 10 F-35 fighter jets to Puerto Rico, citing the need to strengthen regional security and deter interference with counter-narcotics operations. U.S. officials accused Venezuela of operating as a “cartel-run state.”
The buildup extends beyond air power. The North Carolina–based 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit has arrived in southern Puerto Rico for large-scale training exercises, including amphibious and flight operations. The deployment involved three amphibious ships carrying about 4,000 sailors and Marines. The unit described the training as essential for maintaining a “high level of readiness” and enhancing U.S. capabilities in the region.
Meanwhile, Secretary of State Marco Rubio traveled to Mexico and Ecuador this week, making the fight against cartels a central theme in diplomatic discussions. “American leadership is back in the hemisphere,” said State Department deputy spokesperson Tommy Pigott. He argued the administration’s aggressive approach is necessary, pointing to the fentanyl crisis, which has become the leading cause of death for Americans ages 18 to 45.
Still, the White House’s expanded military campaign has raised concerns on Capitol Hill. Some Democrats have expressed support for targeting drug networks but want greater oversight and clarity on the legal basis for military actions. The Senate Intelligence Committee is expected to receive a bipartisan briefing in the coming days on the deadly strike against the Venezuelan vessel.
The Trump administration has signaled this is just the beginning of a broader campaign against transnational cartels, with more military activity in the Caribbean likely in the months ahead.