Five U.S. F-35 fighter jets landed in Puerto Rico following President Trump's order to bolster Caribbean military presence amid rising tensions with Venezuela.
Five U.S. Air Force F-35 stealth fighters touched down at the former Roosevelt Roads base in Ceiba, Puerto Rico, on Saturday, according to Reuters photographer Ricky Arduengo. Their arrival follows a recent directive by President Donald Trump to deploy 10 F-35s to the Caribbean, part of a broader effort to target drug cartels operating in the region.
The deployment comes against the backdrop of intensifying tensions with Venezuela. Earlier this week, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and the country’s top general made an unannounced visit to Puerto Rico. Military activity at the base has reportedly increased, with sightings of helicopters, Osprey aircraft, and transport planes.
While the Pentagon has not officially confirmed any changes to force posture, sources told Reuters that the F-35s are intended for counter-narcotics operations. This follows last week’s U.S. strike on a Venezuelan vessel, which Washington claimed was carrying illegal drugs. The operation killed 11 people, though Caracas disputes the U.S. version, insisting the victims were not traffickers.
On Friday, a new flashpoint emerged when Venezuela accused the U.S. Navy of illegally boarding a Venezuelan tuna fishing boat in its Special Economic Zone. Venezuelan officials said the ship, manned by nine fishermen, posed no threat and called the U.S. action hostile and illegal. U.S. officials have not commented on the allegation.
The F-35 deployment adds a potent new dimension to U.S. presence in the region. The jets, considered among the most advanced combat aircraft in the world, could easily outmatch Venezuela’s ageing air force, which includes F-16 fighters.
President Trump has denied that the U.S. seeks regime change in Venezuela, but the latest military movements suggest a firm posture as Washington ramps up pressure on the Maduro government.
U.S. President Donald Trump said that Iran wanted to negotiate and make a deal in comments to reporters on Wednesday (6 May). But ea...
Argentinian authorities are reconstructing the journeys of Dutch citizens who presented with symptoms of deadly hantavirus after visiting Arge...
Russia has restricted some mobile internet services ahead of Victory Day on Saturday (9 May), citing security concerns. The annual celebrations, ma...
Ted Turner, the CNN founder who pioneered the 24-hour news cycle, has died aged 87, ...
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas’s planned visits to Yerevan and Baku framed the 8th European Political Community summit on 4 May, as Euro...
The U.S. and Iran launched new attacks in the Gulf on Monday as they wrestled for control over the Strait of Hormuz with duelling maritime blockades, shaking a fragile ceasefire.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei warned “foreigners who commit evil” have no place in the Gulf, outlining a “new phase” for the Strait of Hormuz, while a senior adviser said U.S. blockade efforts would fail and could trigger confrontation.
Iran said on Thursday it would respond with “long and painful strikes” against U.S. positions if Washington resumed attacks, while also reasserting its claim over the Strait of Hormuz, complicating U.S. plans to form a coalition to reopen the waterway.
Iran could lose up to $435 million in oil exports due to a U.S. naval blockade, though a full institutional collapse remains unlikely, according to a geopolitical researcher.
U.S. President Donald Trump said that Iran wanted to negotiate and make a deal in comments to reporters on Wednesday (6 May). But earlier, he warned Washington would ramp up attacks if no agreement was reached.
The United Arab Emirate said it was dealing with missile and drone attacks from Iran for the second day in a row on Tuesday (5 May), despite denials from authorities in Tehran who threatened a "crushing response" if the UAE retaliated.
Argentinian authorities are reconstructing the journeys of Dutch citizens who presented with symptoms of deadly hantavirus after visiting Argentina and Chile as part of a luxury cruise trip, the country's Health Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday (6 May)
The steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art were transformed once again into the world's most prestigious runway for the 2026 Met Gala. This year’s theme, 'Costume Art,' invited guests to explore the intersection of nature, history, and the surreal under the official dress code 'Fashion Is Art'.
The 61st Venice Biennale has opened under grey skies and political tension, with disputes over Russia and Israel, resignations on the jury, and protests marking the start of one of the art world’s most high-profile events.
Russia has restricted some mobile internet services ahead of Victory Day on Saturday (9 May), citing security concerns. The annual celebrations, marking victory over Nazi Germany in the Second World War, have been scaled back amid fears of attacks from Ukraine.
Ted Turner, the CNN founder who pioneered the 24-hour news cycle, has died aged 87, the network reported on Wednesday (6 May), citing a Turner Enterprises press release. He died surrounded by family.
The Secretary-General of the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS), Meysam Afshar, said the organisation has documented alleged violations of international humanitarian law during the U.S.–Israel war on Iran and shared the findings with international bodies.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi in Beijing on Wednesday, their first in-person talks since the U.S.-Israel war on Iran began, focusing on the fragile ceasefire and security in the Strait of Hormuz.
The Australian government will spend billions to boost national fuel stockpiles and create a permanent, state-owned strategic reserve, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment