According to Reuters, on September 5th U.S. time, sources said the Trump administration has ordered the deployment of 10 F-35 fighter jets to Puerto Rico airports to combat drug trafficking groups in Latin America. The U.S. website “The War Zone” also confirmed that 10 F-35 fighter jets have been ordered to fly to Puerto Rico to reinforce this anti-drug mission.
CNN, citing multiple sources familiar with the government’s plans, reported that Trump is weighing further strike options, including possible attacks on suspected drug trafficking group targets within Venezuela. U.S. media reported that such strikes would mark a significant escalation of the situation.
Reuters reported that just hours before the F-35 jet deployment was disclosed, the Pentagon accused Venezuelan aircraft of conducting “highly provocative” flights near U.S. Navy warships on the 4th.
Trump warned the Venezuelan government that the U.S. military has the authority to shoot down these planes if U.S. military commanders deem it necessary, saying: “If they actually put us in danger, they will be shot down.”
The Venezuelan government did not respond to Reuters’ requests for comment on the U.S. deployment of F-35 fighter jets or on the allegations of Venezuelan aircraft flying over U.S. warships. On the 5th local time, Venezuelan President Maduro stated that the U.S. government should respect Venezuela’s sovereignty and abandon its plan to carry out a “violent change of regime” in Venezuela.
Recently, the United States has deployed multiple warships in the Caribbean Sea near Venezuela under the pretext of “combating drug trafficking groups in Latin America.”