Trump deploys F-35 fighter jets to Puerto Rico after deadly cartel strike
By isabelle // 2025-09-05
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  • The U.S. is deploying 10 F-35 fighter jets, seven warships, a nuclear submarine, and 4,500 troops to Puerto Rico to escalate military action against Caribbean drug cartels.
  • A recent U.S. airstrike killed 11 suspected cartel members linked to Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua gang, now labeled a terrorist organization by the U.S.
  • President Trump warns cartels of severe consequences for drug trafficking, framing this as a full-scale offensive against narco-terrorist networks.
  • The military buildup raises questions about broader intentions, including potential regime change in Venezuela, while risking regional destabilization.
  • Trump’s aggressive strategy contrasts sharply with past administrations, aiming to dismantle cartel operations before they further infiltrate the U.S.
The U.S. is doubling down on its military campaign against drug cartels in the Caribbean, deploying 10 advanced F-35 fighter jets to Puerto Rico by late next week—just days after a deadly airstrike killed 11 suspected cartel members off Venezuela’s coast. The move, part of President Trump’s pledge to dismantle transnational crime networks, marks one of the largest regional military buildups in years, with seven warships, a nuclear submarine, and over 4,500 troops already in place. This isn’t just another counter-narcotics operation. It’s a full-spectrum escalation, blending air, sea, and ground forces to target what Trump calls “narco-terrorist” organizations. The president himself framed the recent strike as a warning: “Let this serve as notice to anybody even thinking about bringing drugs into the United States of America. BEWARE!” The message is clear: Washington is no longer playing defense.

A strike with unanswered questions

The airstrike that triggered this surge targeted a Venezuelan vessel Trump linked to the Tren de Aragua gang, a group the U.S. designated as terrorists earlier this year. “TDA is a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization, operating under the control of [Venezuelan President] Nicolas Maduro,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, calling them responsible for “mass murder, drug trafficking, sex trafficking, and acts of violence and terror.” Venezuelan President Maduro, predictably, fired back, accusing Washington of “seeking a regime change through military threat.” But the U.S. isn’t backing down. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has openly labeled Maduro “effectively a kingpin of a drug narco state,” while Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking in Ecuador, declared: “The president has said he wants to wage war on these groups because they’ve been waging war on us for 30 years and no one has responded.”

A military buildup with broader implications

The deployment of F-35 stealth jets capable of precision strikes suggests this is more than a show of force. With seven warships, a nuclear submarine, and Marines conducting amphibious drills in Puerto Rico, the U.S. is projecting power in a way not seen since the Cold War. The question is: What’s the endgame? Some analysts speculate this could be a prelude to broader operations against Maduro’s regime, which the U.S. has long accused of harboring cartels. Others warn of unintended consequences, like destabilizing the region further or provoking retaliation. But one thing is certain: The Biden-Harris regime’s weak border policies allowed fentanyl and other deadly drugs to flood America, and Trump is taking a drastically different approach.

A war on two fronts

While the Caribbean crackdown dominates headlines, Trump is also tightening the screws on Mexico’s cartels. Reports indicate surveillance missions are mapping cartel strongholds, possibly setting the stage for direct action. Mexico’s sudden compliance with U.S. demands—deploying 10,000 troops to the border, halting tariffs, and targeting fentanyl labs—suggests Trump’s tactics are working. But at what cost? The risk of escalation is real. If cartels retaliate by increasing violence or disrupting supply chains, Americans could face shortages or even domestic attacks. Yet, for a president who campaigned on “America First,” the calculus is simple: Better to fight the cartels on their turf than let them poison ours. However, history shows that cartels adapt. They’ll shift routes, bribe officials, or escalate violence. The U.S. must be ready for a long fight. And if past is prologue, the deep state and its media allies will cry “overreach” while ignoring the bodies piled up from fentanyl overdoses. What comes next? For now, the F-35s are en route, the warships are in position, and the cartels are on notice. But the real test will be whether this campaign can dismantle the networks flooding America with poison—or if it becomes another endless war with no clear victory. Sources for this article include: YourNews.com NYPost.com News.Sky.com Reuters.com
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