US F-35 Fighter Jets Land in Puerto Rico Amid Growing Tensions with Venezuela
The Bolivarian government has condemned these deployments, describing them as a direct threat to the Caribbean’s declared Zone of Peace.
Puerto Rico, PUREWILAYAH.COM — Five US Navy F-35 fighter jets arrived at José Aponte de la Torre Regional Airport, the former Roosevelt Roads base in northeastern Puerto Rico, as part of Washington’s military buildup in the Caribbean aimed at tightening pressure on Venezuela under the pretext of combating drug trafficking.
A US Boeing C-5 aircraft was also observed at the base, according to local reports. The arrival of these aircraft adds to an already significant US presence in the region, including eight warships armed with missiles and a nuclear-powered submarine stationed near Venezuelan waters.
The Bolivarian government has condemned these deployments, describing them as a direct threat to the Caribbean’s declared “Zone of Peace.”
Puerto Rican Protests Against Remilitarization
These deployments come despite strong opposition from Puerto Ricans who reject the use of their island as a launching pad for US military operations.
Earlier this month, demonstrations took place outside Muñiz Air Base in Carolina, where protesters chanted “Puerto Rico without militia, we want justice” and wrote slogans such as “Yankee out” and “Trump murderer.”
Civil society organizations, including the Puerto Rican Independence Party (PIP) and Solidaridad Internacional de Puerto Rico (SOLi), have issued statements denouncing Washington’s actions. They warned that remilitarization deepens Puerto Rico’s colonial subordination, turns the island into a potential target in foreign conflicts, and undermines regional stability.
Local Leadership Aligns with Washington
The return of US warplanes has been openly supported by Puerto Rico’s governor, Jenniffer González, who has aligned herself with the Trump administration’s interventionist policy toward Venezuela.
González has echoed US allegations against President Nicolás Maduro, including unsubstantiated claims linking him to drug cartels.
Venezuelan President Maduro responded by challenging González’s position, calling on her to personally lead the invasion she supports. He reaffirmed Venezuela’s readiness to defend its sovereignty, warning against Washington’s repeated attempts at regime change.
Fears of a Return to Past Abuses
Puerto Ricans have expressed fears that the US Navy may fully reactivate its bases on the island, recalling the environmental destruction left behind when Washington previously operated eleven military installations in Puerto Rico. Beaches were contaminated and unexploded munitions were abandoned, leaving a legacy of health and safety hazards.
Despite mass protests rejecting Puerto Rico’s continued colonial condition, González has maintained that the island will continue to host US aircraft as part of the Caribbean buildup.
Her stance has reinforced concerns that Puerto Rico is being reduced to a strategic outpost for US military operations, while the voices of its own people remain ignored. (PW)
Source: teleSURtv