A U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon aircraft, identified by the callsign AE680A, was observed near Caribbean airspace on September 15th, 2025. The sighting occurred in the early hours of September 15th, as reported by flight tracking data. This observation follows a period of increased military activity and heightened regional tensions. The U.S. military has recently bolstered its airpower in the Caribbean with the deployment of Marine F-35B stealth fighter aircraft to Puerto Rico on September 13th. This deployment is part of a larger U.S. military buildup in the region, which also includes a significant naval presence, according to a SOUTHCOM update shared on September 14th. Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López previously issued a warning on September 14th, stating that Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago would face repercussions if they allowed themselves to be used for attacks against Venezuela. His remarks were shared via social media by the Nicolás Maduro administration. Earlier on September 14th, Venezuelan military transport aircraft FAV-9508, a C-30H Hercules, was tracked flying from the El Libertador air base to Orchila Island and returning. An unidentified aircraft, possibly a U.S. MQ-9 Reaper, was also observed near Venezuelan airspace at 49,000 feet on September 14th. The Dutch frigate HNLMS Van Amstel was dispatched from Willemstad, Curaçao, on the morning of September 14th, though its mission remained undisclosed.
