The U.S. military presence in the Caribbean has taken a dramatic turn as six F-35B stealth fighters touched down in Puerto Rico, marking a significant escalation in America’s ongoing campaign against Venezuelan drug cartels and the government of Nicolas Maduro. The operation, which unfolded on September 13, 2025, at the former Roosevelt Roads Naval Station in Ceiba, Puerto Rico, is being called one of the largest U.S. military deployments to the region in recent years, according to The War Zone.
President Trump, intent on sending a strong message to narcotraffickers and the Maduro regime, has made this mission a centerpiece of his foreign policy. Just days before the arrival of the F-35Bs, Trump remarked that a U.S. strike targeting a Venezuelan gang would make drug cartels "think twice about their operations," as reported by the Daily Sun. His administration’s stance is clear: the U.S. is prepared to use overwhelming force to disrupt the flow of drugs into North America and to challenge what it describes as a narco-terrorist state in Venezuela.
The deployment of the F-35Bs is notable not just for its scale, but for the capabilities these fifth-generation jets bring to the table. The aircraft, which originated from Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, made a stopover at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida, before being refueled by a KC-135 Stratotanker near Miami, according to open source flight trackers cited by The War Zone. Upon arrival in Puerto Rico, observers noted that the jets bore no unit markings on their tails—a possible security measure, though officials have not confirmed the reasoning behind this tactic.
These F-35Bs are joining a formidable armada: 4,500 Marines and sailors, at least eight ships—including a nuclear-powered Los Angeles class fast attack submarine—and a slew of other military assets. The amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima, which is currently stationed off Puerto Rico, is also involved in the operation. The ship’s Air Combat Element includes AV-8B+ Harriers, and the vessel itself is capable of launching and recovering F-35Bs, offering commanders significant operational flexibility.
The White House has been unequivocal in its labeling of Nicolas Maduro, describing him as a "narco-terrorist" tied to Venezuelan drug cartels. The U.S. considers Maduro a fugitive, with a $50 million bounty on his head. According to The War Zone, this campaign is not only about disrupting narcotics trafficking but also about exerting maximum pressure on the Maduro regime, which Washington accuses of enabling and profiting from the drug trade.
Deadly force has already been deployed as part of the operation. President Trump confirmed that a U.S. strike killed 11 smugglers on a cartel boat linked to the Tren de Aragua (TD) drug cartel—a group that has become synonymous with violence and trafficking throughout the region. This use of force, Trump argued, would serve as a warning to other criminal organizations operating in the hemisphere.
The mission has not gone unnoticed by Venezuela. In the wake of the strike, the Venezuelan military responded by flying two F-16 fighter jets near the USS Jason Dunham, an Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyer operating in the Caribbean. While the exact nature of the F-35Bs’ upcoming missions remains classified, their presence alone signals a new level of U.S. commitment to combating narcotrafficking and challenging Maduro’s grip on power.
It’s not unusual for advanced aircraft like the F-35 to join anti-narcotics operations, but their deployment in such numbers—and in such a visible manner—has raised eyebrows in both military and diplomatic circles. The F-35 is renowned for its kinetic strike capabilities, able to take out enemy targets and aircraft with precision. But perhaps even more valuable in this context is its suite of advanced intelligence-gathering tools. The jet’s radar and electro-optical systems are state-of-the-art, allowing for the detection and tracking of suspicious vessels and aircraft. Its electronic intelligence gathering capability, in particular, provides commanders with a potent reconnaissance asset, making it possible to map out cartel operations in real time.
The B model of the F-35, which is the variant currently deployed, is uniquely suited for operations in the Caribbean. Its ability to take off and land vertically means it can operate from the deck of the USS Iwo Jima as well as from land bases like Roosevelt Roads. This flexibility is a key advantage in the fast-paced cat-and-mouse game that defines counter-narcotics operations in the region’s vast and often lawless waters.
The scale of the current operation is hard to overstate. According to The War Zone, a second flight of four F-35s from MCAS Yuma is also en route to Puerto Rico, further bolstering the U.S. military’s capabilities in the region. The deployment is part of a broader strategy to interdict drug shipments before they reach American shores and to demonstrate that the U.S. is willing to project power in defense of its interests.
At the same time, the Trump administration’s approach has drawn scrutiny from some quarters. Critics question whether such a large military footprint is necessary, and whether it risks escalating tensions with Venezuela and other regional actors. Supporters, on the other hand, argue that only a show of overwhelming force can disrupt the sophisticated and well-armed cartels that have turned parts of Venezuela into a lawless zone.
For residents of Puerto Rico and neighboring islands, the sudden arrival of high-tech warplanes and naval vessels has been both a curiosity and a reminder of the region’s strategic importance. The sight of F-35Bs landing at Roosevelt Roads—a base with a long history in U.S. military operations—underscores the island’s role as a forward operating hub in America’s efforts to secure the Caribbean.
Military officials have been tight-lipped about the specific missions the F-35s will undertake, citing operational security. However, defense analysts note that the jets’ intelligence-gathering abilities could be used to identify cartel movements, monitor suspicious flights and maritime traffic, and provide real-time targeting data for strikes against high-value targets.
As the operation continues, all eyes will be on the Caribbean to see whether this show of force will achieve its intended objectives. With the world watching, the U.S. has made it clear that it is willing to use every tool at its disposal to combat drug trafficking and challenge regimes it deems hostile. The next moves—by both the U.S. and its adversaries—could shape the security landscape of the region for years to come.
For now, the presence of the F-35Bs in Puerto Rico stands as a stark symbol of American resolve and technological prowess in the fight against narcotrafficking and regional instability.
