On the sun-soaked tarmac of Ceiba, Puerto Rico, the whine of jet engines and the clang of military hardware have become a new soundtrack. In recent days, a small fleet of advanced F-35 stealth fighter jets landed on the island, marking a significant escalation in the United States' military presence in the Caribbean. According to the Associated Press, these deployments are part of a growing buildup of U.S. military assets in the region, officially aimed at striking at the heart of powerful drug cartels. But as tensions with Venezuela simmer, the true purpose—and potential consequences—of this buildup have become the subject of heated debate on the island and beyond.
Local 10 World News anchor Glenna Milberg recently traveled to Puerto Rico to witness the military activity firsthand. She described the scene: crews methodically loading a missile onto an F-35, with the island suddenly thrust into the international spotlight as a U.S. military launch pad. The timing is no coincidence. As of September 19, 2025, the U.S. has ramped up its military presence in Puerto Rico in direct response to rising tensions with Venezuela, a nation whose leader, Nicolas Maduro, is now at the center of a geopolitical storm.
Maduro, accused by U.S. authorities of being a cartel leader, faces a staggering $50 million bounty on his head. The Trump administration, with the full-throated support of Puerto Rico's Governor Jenniffer Gonzalez Colon, has identified drug trafficking in the Caribbean as a top priority. Gonzalez Colon has not shied away from her position, welcoming the influx of U.S. military might and aligning herself with Washington's hardline stance on regional security.
Yet, not all Puerto Ricans are on board with this new reality. The island, long a strategic outpost for U.S. interests, is now home to a growing chorus of dissent. Sonia Santiago, the wife and mother of military veterans, leads Madres Contra la Guerra—Spanish for "Mothers Against War." Her group has organized protests that have drawn hundreds, their voices echoing across plazas and social media feeds alike. Santiago did not mince words when speaking to WPLG Local10.com: "It’s very shameful and very upsetting that they are launching any type of invasion of—military invasion from Puerto Rico."
Others, like activist Monisha Rios, share Santiago’s unease. Rios, a vocal critic of the buildup, questioned the motives behind the island’s role in the U.S. operation. "We are not seeking to be at war with Venezuela, regardless of what the governor says, to promote whatever narrative pays her the most," she remarked, highlighting the deep divisions within Puerto Rican society over the military escalation.
The facts on the ground are hard to ignore. The U.S. Southern Command recently released a video showing 4,500 Marines now stationed at Camp Santiago in Salinas, a significant force by any measure. Meanwhile, the guided missile cruiser USS Lake Erie sits docked at the Port of Ponce, its imposing silhouette a reminder of the hardware now in play. The presence of these assets, combined with the arrival of the F-35s, signals a level of preparedness that goes well beyond routine anti-narcotics operations.
Supporters of the buildup, however, see opportunity where others see risk. For some, the influx of personnel and equipment represents a rare economic boon for an island that has struggled with recession, natural disasters, and the lingering aftermath of Hurricane Maria. Resident Roland de Jesus captured this sentiment succinctly, calling the military activity an "injection of caffeine into the industry." The hope is that with more boots on the ground and ships in port, local businesses—from restaurants to repair shops—will see a much-needed uptick in activity and revenue.
But the economic argument does little to quell the fears of those who worry about the broader implications. The specter of Puerto Rico being used as a launchpad for military action against Venezuela has raised alarms not only among activists, but also in Caracas. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has publicly accused Governor Gonzalez Colon of orchestrating a potential invasion, a claim that, while hotly disputed by U.S. officials, has nonetheless fueled anxiety on both sides of the Caribbean.
According to WPLG Local10.com, the U.S. government maintains that its actions are targeted solely at disrupting drug trafficking networks that use the region as a conduit. However, the scale of the buildup—complete with stealth fighters, Marines, and a missile cruiser—has led to questions about whether the official narrative tells the whole story. For many Puerto Ricans, the issue is not just about security or economics, but about the island’s identity and its role in U.S. foreign policy.
The debate has spilled over into local politics, with Governor Gonzalez Colon standing firm in her support for the Trump administration’s approach. She has argued that the increased military presence is essential for combating drug cartels, which pose a direct threat to both Puerto Rico and the mainland United States. Critics, however, accuse her of prioritizing Washington’s interests over those of the island’s residents, and of turning Puerto Rico into a pawn in a much larger geopolitical game.
Meanwhile, the voices of protest have grown louder. The demonstrations led by Madres Contra la Guerra have become a focal point for opposition, drawing attention to the potential risks of escalation and the human cost of military entanglement. "We are not seeking to be at war with Venezuela," Rios reiterated, underscoring the reluctance of many Puerto Ricans to be drawn into a conflict not of their making.
For the U.S. military, the calculus is clear: Puerto Rico offers a strategically advantageous location, close enough to the South American mainland to serve as a staging ground for rapid response operations. The presence of advanced F-35 jets, capable of both surveillance and precision strikes, adds a new dimension to the region’s security landscape. Yet, as history has shown, the line between deterrence and provocation is a thin one, easily blurred in the heat of international rivalry.
As the situation continues to unfold, the people of Puerto Rico find themselves at a crossroads. The island’s unique status—as both a U.S. territory and a community with its own distinct identity—means that every decision carries weight far beyond its shores. Whether the current buildup will succeed in curbing drug trafficking or inadvertently spark a wider conflict remains to be seen. For now, the roar of jet engines and the presence of warships serve as a daily reminder of the high stakes at play in this corner of the Caribbean.
In the coming weeks, all eyes will be on Puerto Rico as it navigates the complex intersection of security, politics, and identity. The choices made here could reverberate across the region, shaping the future not only of the island, but of U.S. relations with its neighbors for years to come.