(source : ANI) ( Photo Credit : ani)
US-Venezuela Tensions Heat Up: F-35 Jets Land in Puerto Rico Amid Navy Raid Backlash
Tensions between the United States and Venezuela are boiling over in the Caribbean, with fresh military moves stirring up controversy. Five advanced US F-35 fighter jets touched down in Puerto Rico on Saturday, ramping up operations against drug trafficking. At the same time, Venezuela slammed a US Navy raid on one of its fishing boats, calling it a hostile act that could spark bigger conflicts.
The F-35 jets arrived at the old Roosevelt Roads base in Ceiba, Puerto Rico, following orders from US President Donald Trump. This deployment aims to boost efforts to crack down on drug smugglers in the region. You could spot helicopters, Ospreys, and extra military personnel buzzing around the base too. But not everyone’s happy—locals in Puerto Rico protested, worried about the island turning into a militarized hotspot.
This comes right after a surprise visit from US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to Puerto Rico. Just days earlier, Washington struck a drug-laden vessel linked to Venezuela’s notorious Tren de Aragua gang in the southern Caribbean. That boat had set off from Venezuelan shores, adding fuel to the fire between the two nations.
On the other side, Venezuela’s foreign ministry fired back at the US over what they describe as an illegal boarding. They claim personnel from a US Navy destroyer stormed a tuna fishing boat in Venezuelan waters. Foreign Minister Yvan Gil shared details with reporters: 18 armed crew members stayed on board for eight long hours, stopping nine fishermen from doing their jobs. The US finally let them go, but only under escort from the Venezuelan navy.
Gil didn’t hold back, saying those behind the raid want to create an "incident" to justify ramping up military actions in the Caribbean. He accused the US of pushing its "failed policy" to topple Venezuela’s government. It’s a serious charge amid ongoing US-Venezuela relations strains.
In response, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro wasted no time. Earlier this week, he put the country’s armed forces on high alert across 284 battlefronts to guard every inch of coastline. Thousands of troops and militiamen joined drills under Plan Independencia 200, all to defend Venezuela’s sovereignty against what they see as US aggression.
As US military deployments in the Caribbean grow, eyes are on how this Venezuela-US standoff plays out. Will it lead to more clashes, or can diplomacy cool things down? Stay tuned for updates on these rising tensions.
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