The US deployed more F-35, rescue aircraft near Venezuela

A US official said on December 11 that F-35A fighters belonging to the 158th Fighter Wing of the Vermont National Guard had arrived in the Caribbean to participate in the anti-drug campaign. This move is considered the latest increase in US forces here, while increasing pressure on Venezuela.

US officials did not specify the number and time of the F-35A fighter series arriving in Puerto Rico, but said it was likely they would be stationed at the Roosevelt Roads base, about 800 km north of Venezuela. A number of US Marine Corps F-35B fighters and E/A-18G electronic warfare aircraft were also deployed to this airport previously.

This is the first time the US has dispatched the F-35A, a variant that can carry guided bombs weighing 900 kg, to the Caribbean Sea. The F-35B fighters operating here can only carry weapons weighing up to 450 kg, and their flight range and maneuverability are also lower than the F-35A.

The US military also dispatched rescue aircraft to Puerto Rico, including HC-130J aircraft and HH-60W helicopters. The KC-135 tanker is on a mission from the Dominican Republic, and the KC-46 has taken off from the US Virgin Islands multiple times in recent months.

Military site editors Howard Altman and Tyler Rogoway War Zone Sending rescue aircraft to the area “is a sign that President Donald Trump’s administration can sharply increase pressure on Venezuela, as well as attack drug gangs hiding in this country”.

According to the two editors, the HC-130J and HH-60W aircraft are necessary for rescue operations for pilots missing in combat, especially in areas where fighting occurs, thanks to specialized equipment and crews specialized in performing this task.

“The Pentagon is moving into a much more thorough state of preparation for combat operations in other countries’ airspace, compared to just a few days ago,” Rogoway assessed.

However, White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt confirmed on December 11 that President Trump does not want to see a prolonged conflict in Venezuela, instead he wants to end drug shipments into the US.

The US military in early September began an anti-drug campaign in the Caribbean Sea and deployed large forces to the area, including the Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier battle group, at least eight surface ships, a special operations ship, an attack submarine, F-35B stealth fighters, AC-130 attack aircraft, transport aircraft, drones and more than 15,000 soldiers.

President Nicolas Maduro said that the move to mobilize forces shows that the US intends to change the regime in Venezuela.

President Trump announced on December 2 that he would order raids on drug criminals on land, instead of just targeting boats suspected of carrying banned substances at sea. He also affirmed that every country transporting drugs to the US could be attacked, including Venezuela.