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20h ago

U.S. Steps Up Caribbean Operation, Staging Forces in Puerto Rico as Trump Weighs Venezuela Strikes

Congress questions the legal basis for Pentagon-led lethal actions after an 11-fatality boat strike in the southern Caribbean.

AME6640. CARACAS (VENEZUELA), 05/09/2025.- Fotografía cedida por Palacio de Miraflores del presidente de Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, hablando durante un acto de gobierno este viernes, en Caracas (Venezuela). Maduro dijo que Estados Unidos "debe abandonar su plan de un cambio de régimen violento en Venezuela y en toda América Latina y el Caribe", en un contexto en el que denuncia "amenazas" del país norteamericano, que lleva a cabo un despliegue militar en aguas caribeñas bajo el argumento de combatir el narcotráfico. EFE/ Palacio de Miraflores /SOLO USO EDITORIAL/NO VENTAS/SOLO DISPONIBLE PARA ILUSTRAR LA NOTICIA QUE ACOMPAÑA (CRÉDITO OBLIGATORIO)
El buque de guerra USS Sampson atracó el mes pasado en la Terminal Internacional de Cruceros Amador, en la ciudad de Panamá. Crédito: Martin Bernetti/Agence France-Presse.
Altos funcionarios del Departamento de Guerra llegan a Puerto Rico. FOTO: Especial
La llegada a Puerto Rico del secretario de Guerra, Pete Hegseth, y al general Dan Caine, jefe del Estado Mayor Conjunto de las Fuerzas Armadas de Estados Unidos

Overview

  • Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine made an unannounced trip to Puerto Rico as officials consider the island a hub for operations against Caribbean cartels.
  • The Pentagon has positioned at least eight warships, surveillance aircraft, a submarine and Marine units, with 10 F-35 fighters sent to Puerto Rico for deterrence and potential missions.
  • Trump signaled he is considering attacks on cartel targets inside Venezuela and warned Venezuelan military aircraft could be shot down if they threaten U.S. forces.
  • Venezuela expanded defensive deployments along coastal, insular and border areas, with Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino citing 25,000 troops in western sectors and leaders urging nationwide readiness.
  • Capitol Hill scrutiny intensified after the Pentagon canceled a briefing on the strike, regional criticism mounted, and protests in Puerto Rico challenged using the island as a staging ground.