On September 14, the US Department of Defense announced the deployment of five F-35 fighters to the old Roosevelt Roads base in Ceiba, Puerto Rico. This fighter squad also includes helicopters, Osprey transport aircraft and many soldiers, to increase the US military presence in the Caribbean.
The move was explained by Washington as part of a campaign against drug smuggling across the Caribbean. However, observers say the timing of the deployment coincides with rising tensions between the US and Venezuela, especially after incidents involving ships at sea.
The Caracas government immediately reacted strongly, accusing the US of "provocation" and "violating sovereignty" by increasing forces near the Venezuelan coastal border. The country's officials affirmed that they are ready to "protect the territorial integrity by all necessary measures".
In Puerto Rico, the return of US military forces at Roosevelt Roads - a base that has been closed since 2004 - has also caused controversy. Some people are concerned that reusing this base could lead to the island's Militarization, affecting the local environment and life.
The deployment of the F-35 is seen as a signal that the US is determined to increase military power in the Caribbean, where Caracas has a wide influence. In the context of increasingly tense relations between the two countries, experts warn that the risk of collisions at sea or in the air will increase, potentially giving a boost to a new round of confrontation.
