The United States has intensified its military campaign in the Caribbean by deploying 10 F-35 stealth fighter jets to Puerto Rico, following President Donald Trump’s order for a crackdown on drug cartels. This comes shortly after a deadly U.S. missile strike that destroyed a boat carrying 11 alleged Venezuelan traffickers in the Caribbean Sea. The Pentagon has cautioned Venezuela against any provocative actions after two of its military aircraft flew dangerously close to a U.S. warship. The F-35s are expected to join the already present U.S. warships and assets in the region next week. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has defended the aggressive campaign, emphasizing the seriousness of the mission. The Trump administration has accused Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro of directing a drug-trafficking network in the Caribbean. Maduro, in response, has labelled the military buildup as an attempt at ‘regime change’ and pledged to strengthen Venezuela’s armed forces.