{"id":111286,"date":"2025-09-07T04:15:00","date_gmt":"2025-09-06T22:45:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/?p=111286"},"modified":"2025-09-07T01:46:38","modified_gmt":"2025-09-06T20:16:38","slug":"us-deploys-f-35-in-pueto-rico","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/2025\/09\/07\/us-deploys-f-35-in-pueto-rico\/","title":{"rendered":"US Deploys Most Expensive Fighter Jet in the World in Puerto Rico"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014<\/strong> The United States<\/a> has ordered 10 F-35<\/a> stealth fighter jets to Puerto Rico amid mounting tensions with Venezuela<\/a>. The deployment aims to bolster counter-narcotics operations in the southern Caribbean and strengthen military presence in the region. Several U.S. Navy warships and thousands of Marines are already active nearby, intensifying the show of force.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The deployment follows a lethal airstrike on a Venezuelan-linked drug vessel, alerts over procedural legality, and provocative aerial maneuvers from Venezuela. The move reflects Washington’s escalating campaign to curb drug trafficking and pressure the Maduro government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II; Photo- Wikipedia<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

US Deploys F-35 in Puerto Rico<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the aftermath of a U.S. airstrike on September 2 that sank a boat allegedly belonging to the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua\u2014with 11 fatalities reported\u2014the U.S. has significantly increased its military presence near Venezuela. The buildup includes missile destroyers, amphibious ships, Marines, and now stealth fighters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The newly dispatched F-35s are expected to join anti-drug trafficking missions from an airfield in Puerto Rico, reinforcing existing naval operations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The United States has strengthened its presence in the Caribbean by deploying several guided-missile destroyers and an amphibious ready group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Flight Global<\/a>, their strength in the area includes around 2,000 combat troops and a contingent of Boeing AV-8B Harrier II fighters stationed on the assault ship USS Iwo Jima,<\/strong> giving Washington a flexible mix of naval and air power close to South America:<\/p>\n\n\n\n