Overview

• Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López said air defenses tracked five high‑speed targets inside Venezuela’s Maiketía FIR at about 35,000 feet and roughly 400 knots, describing them as likely F‑35 fighters.
• He cited reports from international airline pilots who said they saw F‑35s over the Caribbean near Venezuela’s coastline.
• Venezuelan authorities warned they are prepared to repel any aggression and cast recent U.S. military activity as a provocation that violates regional demilitarization commitments.
• Semafor, citing an unnamed senior U.S. official, reported that the administration is considering strikes linked to anti‑narcotics operations, with no public U.S. confirmation of such plans or of the alleged overflight.
• TASS highlighted Washington Examiner reporting that analysts believe U.S. forces in Puerto Rico could seize ports and airfields after recent exercises, a media assessment not backed by an official Pentagon announcement.