US planes reinforce military base in Puerto Rico

After years of inactivity, this week the base returned to operating at an intense pace with F-35 and F-18 fighters, C-130 Hercules transport planes and Black Hawk and Huey helicopters.

As recorded by Reuters agencyimages captured from the scene show aircraft parked in Puerto Rico, helicopter pilots in training and military personnel getting out of military vehicles.

Still in the air, a Black Hawk, a twin-engine multipurpose military helicopter, flew over the base at low altitude this Monday and an AH-1 Cobra attack helicopter landed after a low pass.

Since August, the United States has significantly increased pressure on countries accused of involvement in drug trafficking in the region. The Nicolás Maduro regime is the main target of operations so far.

However, President Donald Trump does not rule out expanding interventions in other countries. This became more evident with the publication of a new National Security Strategy that places Latin America as a central focus of American foreign policy.

The measure, seen as an update of the “Monroe Doctrine”, aims to combat organized crime, drug trafficking, illegal immigration and, mainly, China’s growing influence in the region.