U.S. to Deploy F-35 Lightning II Jets to Puerto Rico in Intensified Fight Against Drug Cartels
By Space Coast Daily // September 5, 2025
move comes just days after a U.S. military strike eliminated nearly a dozen Venezuelan narco-terrorists
WASHINGTON, DC – The United States is set to deploy 10 F-35 Lightning II fighter jets to Puerto Rico as part of an intensified campaign against drug cartels operating in the Caribbean, according to sources familiar with the plan.
The F-35 Lightning II is a fifth-generation multirole fighter jet designed for stealth, speed, and versatility.
Capable of performing air-to-air combat, ground attacks, and intelligence missions, it integrates advanced sensors and networked systems to give pilots unprecedented situational awareness.
Operated by multiple branches of the U.S. military and allied nations, the F-35 represents the cutting edge of modern aerial warfare, combining agility, precision, and technological sophistication in a single platform.
The move comes just days after a U.S. military strike eliminated nearly a dozen Venezuelan narco-terrorists.
In Puerto Rico, U.S. Marine Corps helicopters and Ospreys are already stationed at the former Roosevelt Roads military base in Ceiba, signaling a growing strategic presence in the region as the administration escalates its efforts against drug trafficking networks.
The F-35 Lightning II jets, considered the U.S. military’s most advanced aircraft, are scheduled to arrive next week.
While officials have not outlined their specific operational role, the deployment is expected to serve as a strong deterrent against drug traffickers in the region.
The deployment reflects President Trump’s commitment to cracking down on groups the administration has designated as narco-terrorist organizations.
The F-35s, known for their stealth capabilities and potential to carry a range of weaponry, including nuclear arms, will augment the U.S. military presence in the southern Caribbean.
In recent weeks, the U.S. has also deployed at least eight warships to Central America as part of its broader campaign against narcoterrorism. The increased military activity follows a strike off the coast of Venezuela that reportedly killed 11 individuals connected to the Tren de Aragua criminal gang.
“TDA is a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization, operating under the control of [Venezuelan President] Nicolas Maduro, responsible for mass murder, drug trafficking, sex trafficking, and acts of violence and terror across the United States and Western Hemisphere,” President Trump said in a social media post following the strike.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio reinforced the administration’s stance, describing Maduro as a fugitive from U.S. justice. Rubio noted that the U.S. does not recognize Maduro as the legitimate leader of Venezuela and highlighted the $50 million bounty placed on him last month by the Justice Department.
