U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Air Force Gen. Dan Caine visited Puerto Rico amid increased U.S. military activity targeting drug cartels in the Caribbean. Their visit followed the deployment of hundreds of U.S. Marines to the island for a pre-planned training exercise that began August 31, involving amphibious maneuvers and flight operations. Puerto Rico’s Governor Jenniffer González expressed support, stating, “We thank President Trump and his administration for recognizing the strategic importance of Puerto Rico to U.S. national security and for their fight against drug cartels and the narco-dictator Nicolás Maduro.”
The U.S. is also preparing to deploy 10 F-35 fighter jets to Puerto Rico for operations against drug trafficking, according to an anonymous source. This military buildup follows a September 2 U.S. strike on a vessel linked to the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, which killed 11 people. While some Caribbean leaders welcomed the strike, others, including members of Caricom, have requested open communication with the U.S. to avoid surprises.
Venezuela’s Vice President Delcy Rodríguez denied involvement in drug trafficking, accusing the U.S. of “hypocrisy” and urging a focus on drug consumption within the U.S. Meanwhile, protests in Puerto Rico have opposed the increased military presence, with activists warning against using the island as a staging ground for regional military actions. Governor González dismissed these concerns, emphasizing Puerto Rico’s strategic role in combating drug trafficking.
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