Venezuela announced this morning, October 3rd, 2025, that it detected five F-35 jets approximately 75 kilometers off its coast, which it claims threatens national security and violates international law. The Venezuelan government urged Secretary of Defense Hegseth to cease "warmongering," according to an Al Jazeera report. This claim comes amidst heightened U.S. military activity in the Caribbean. Five F-35B aircraft belonging to VMFA-225 arrived in Puerto Rico on September 13th, 2025, as documented by DVIDS and shared by FaytuksNetwork. Previous reporting from October 3rd, 2025, indicated U.S. Air Force's 823rd REDHORSE Squadron deployed to Ceiba to mill and overlay a new runway in support of upcoming Caribbean operations, aligned with President Donald Trump's directive concerning non-international armed conflict with designated terrorist organizations. U.S. forces have been described as prepared for territorial seizure operations in Venezuela, with capabilities exceeding those of typical counter-drug trafficking missions. Venezuela had previously accused U.S. combat aircraft of violating its airspace on October 2nd, a claim the U.S. has not directly addressed. Naval Air Station Sigonella also reported the presence of two U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft on October 3rd, 2025, within a prior reporting window.
