DefenceDetective Newsletter

Introduction to the DefenceDetective Newsletter

The DefenceDetective Newsletter provides weekly insights and analysis on the latest developments in military technology, strategy, and foreign policy.

Recent Developments in Military Technology and Foreign Policy

A source familiar with the Trump administration’s counter-narcotics operations in the Caribbean confirmed to DefenceDetective that 10 F-35 Joint Strike fighters have been ordered to fly to Puerto Rico to take part in that mission. This confirms an earlier report by Reuters. The jets are expected to arrive in Puerto Rico next week.

Escalating Tensions between Venezuela and the United States

Word of the deployment of fighters comes a day after Venezuelan F-16s made a pass near a U.S. Navy destroyer operating in the Caribbean, the latest in the escalating tensions between Venezuela and the United States. The interaction was highly provocative, and clearly a show of force, according to a U.S. official.

Military Operations in the Caribbean

As part of his claimed effort to stem the flow of drugs from the region, Trump had previously ordered at least eight warships to the region, plus additional surveillance and strike assets. The 22nd MEU, part of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), left Norfolk Aug. 14, bound for the southern Caribbean.

Capabilities of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter

The F-35s bring a wide array of capabilities wherever they are deployed. While best known for their kinetic capabilities, including striking targets and taking on enemy aircraft, the Joint Strike Fighter is an extremely powerful intelligence gathering tool, with its highly capable radar and electro-optical systems.

Update on the Situation

During a trip to Fort Benning, Georgia on Thursday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth offered additional justification for the deadly strike against the cartel drug boat earlier this week. He likened the alleged smugglers killed to notorious terrorists. The president also claimed, without proof, that “300,000 to 350,000 people died last year from drugs” in the U.S.

Conclusion

The situation in the Caribbean remains complex and volatile, with escalating tensions between Venezuela and the United States. The deployment of F-35 Joint Strike fighters to Puerto Rico and the military operations in the region are likely to have significant implications for the region and beyond.