Base and Airport Upgrades
As Reuters journalists discovered, active construction work on military facilities started in August 2025. American warships, submarines, fighter jets, and reconnaissance aircraft have arrived in the region.
Work is underway at the former naval base in Puerto Rico to upgrade runways and install mobile air traffic and safety management systems.
In addition, the modernization affects civilian airports, such as Rafael Hernández Airport in Puerto Rico and Henry E. Rohlsen Airport on the island of St. Croix (U.S. Virgin Islands), located 800 kilometers from Venezuela. New communication systems, mobile flight control towers, radar systems are being installed, and warehouses for storing ammunition are being built at these airports.
Strengthening Naval and Air Forces
Since August, 13 warships have been sent to the region, including the aircraft carrier Gerald Ford, a nuclear submarine, and five auxiliary vessels. Currently, eight ships remain in the Caribbean Sea, including the MV Ocean Trader, which is linked to special operations forces and capable of transporting helicopters and landing troops.
Three guided missile destroyers are also participating in the operation - USS Jason Dunham, USS Gravely, and USS Stockdale, along with the hospital ship USNS Comfort and the ship USNS Waters, which is used for testing submarine navigation systems.
The U.S. Air Force has intensified reconnaissance and demonstration flights. Ten F-35 fighter jets, as well as reconnaissance and bombers B-1 Lancer and B-52, have been deployed to the region, conducting flights along the Venezuelan coast. C-17 transport planes are delivering cargo, while P-8A Poseidons are patrolling the Caribbean Sea.
Potential Targets
Experts suggest that Washington's actions may indicate preparations for infrastructure for possible operations on Venezuelan territory.
“All these measures are aimed at putting pressure on Maduro's regime and his circle, hoping to provoke internal conflicts,” noted Christopher Hernandez-Roy, a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
Reuters emphasizes that this is the largest increase in U.S. military presence in the region since the "Support Democracy" operation in Haiti in 1994.
Official U.S. Position
White House representatives stated that this military activity is aimed at combating drug cartels.
“President Donald Trump has taken unprecedented measures to combat drug terrorism, which leads to the deaths of innocent Americans,” said administration spokesperson Anna Kelly.
Previously, Trump commented on strikes against vessels involved in drug smuggling, saying, “The next step will be land.”
