Trump Deploys Stealth Fighter Squad to Puerto Rico Amid Caribbean Cartel Crackdown
In a significant escalation of military operations in the Caribbean, President Donald Trump has deployed 10 F-35 stealth fighter planes to Puerto Rico as part of an ongoing campaign against drug cartels in the region. The move comes amid heightened tensions following a deadly US missile strike on Tuesday that killed 11 Venezuelans and accusations from Washington that Venezuela is buzzing warships in international waters.
According to sources, the deployment marks a major escalation of Trump's efforts to combat what he sees as a Venezuelan-led threat to regional security. "This is a clear indication of the administration's commitment to taking decisive action against the scourge of drug trafficking in our hemisphere," said Marco Rubio, Secretary of State, on Wednesday.
The F-35 fighter jets were reportedly sent to Puerto Rico following a US missile strike on Tuesday that targeted a boat in the Caribbean Sea. The Trump administration claimed that the boat was carrying 11 Venezuelan drug traffickers, but details about the incident remain scarce. According to sources, the deployment is part of an ongoing effort to disrupt and dismantle the networks of Caribbean-based cartels.
The move has sparked calls for independence among some Puerto Ricans, who have long sought greater autonomy from the US mainland. "This is not just a military operation, it's a colonial one," said a local activist in San Juan on Sunday. "We need to take control of our own destiny and make our own decisions about how we address the issues facing our island."
Background information reveals that the Caribbean region has been plagued by rising levels of violence and drug trafficking in recent years. The US government has accused Venezuela, under President Nicolas Maduro's leadership, of allowing its territory to be used as a hub for illicit activities.
According to experts, the deployment of F-35 fighter jets is a significant escalation of military operations in the region. "The use of stealth technology will give the US military an unparalleled level of surveillance and strike capability," said Dr. Maria Rodriguez, a leading expert on Latin American security issues. "This could potentially disrupt the networks of Caribbean-based cartels and make it more difficult for them to operate."
As tensions continue to rise in the region, the current status remains uncertain. The deployment of F-35 fighter jets is seen as a major development in the ongoing campaign against Caribbean drug cartels, but its effectiveness remains to be seen.
Attribution:
Sources: The Guardian, The Guardian
Quotes:
+ Marco Rubio, Secretary of State: "This is a clear indication of the administration's commitment to taking decisive action against the scourge of drug trafficking in our hemisphere."
+ Local activist in San Juan: "This is not just a military operation, it's a colonial one. We need to take control of our own destiny and make our own decisions about how we address the issues facing our island."
Dates:
+ Tuesday (US missile strike)
+ Wednesday (comments by Marco Rubio)
+ Sunday (protests in San Juan)
This story was compiled from reports by The Guardian and The Guardian.