F-35A EEUU — Créditos: U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Aidan Martínez

First Stealth F-35 Fighters Deployed by the U.S. Arrive in Puerto Rico to Combat Drug Trafficking in the Caribbean

Por

13 September, 2025

The United States Armed Forces continue strengthening the presence of high-profile assets in the Caribbean region, aiming to increase pressure and support the fight against drug cartels, many of which have been designated by the State Department as “foreign terrorist organizations.” In addition to the presence of guided-missile destroyers and cruisers, amphibious assault ships, and even nuclear attack submarines, the arrival yesterday of the first six stealth F-35 fighters—presumably from the U.S. Air Force—was confirmed in Puerto Rico, complementing the presence of other military assets.

Last week, as part of the White House’s new stance on drug cartels in the Caribbean region, President Trump’s order was confirmed to begin preparations for the deployment of a detachment of fifth-generation F-35 fighters to Puerto Rico.

The announcement came amid tensions with Nicolás Maduro’s regime in Venezuela, singled out by the White House, which asserts that various drug cartels constitute its main source of economic support.

Venezuela’s response included, in addition to mobilizing personnel and militias, the deployment on two occasions of F-16 fighters from the Venezuelan Air Force (AMB). These aircraft conducted close flybys of the USS Jason Dunham (DDG-109), one of three Arleigh Burke-class destroyers deployed in the Caribbean—the other two being the USS Gravely (DDG-107) and USS Sampson (DDG-102)—in support of counter-narcotics operations.

Beyond these recent events, yesterday open-source intelligence (OSINT) images and reports revealed preparations at José Aponte de la Torre Airport, which received U.S. Air Force C-17A Globemaster III strategic transport aircraft. These presumably carried personnel and equipment from the U.S. mainland to support the imminent arrival of the fifth-generation fighters.

It was later confirmed that six (6) F-35 fighters departed from Marine Corps Air Station Yuma (MCAS Yuma), Arizona, bound for Puerto Rico. It is presumed that the remaining four are being readied to complete the detachment of ten announced by the White House.

The presence on the Caribbean island adds to other capabilities being deployed there, notably the operation of MQ-9 Reaper combat drones. These were observed armed at the facilities and are presumably the assets used in the recent strike against a “narco” speedboat, which was sunk days ago in an incident publicly announced by President Donald Trump.