Extensive military activity, including the unloading of weapons and equipment for fighter jets, is underway at Roosevelt Roads Naval Station and JosĂ© Aponte de la Torre Airport in Ceiba, Puerto Rico, as of September 14th, 2025. Analysis of photographs indicates significant efforts to restore key infrastructure to operational status, suggesting the base will serve as a principal hub for forthcoming U.S. operations targeting Latin American drug cartels. Transport aircraft, including C-5M Super Galaxy and C-17A models, have been observed delivering materiel. These developments follow the arrival of five U.S. F-35B Lightning II fighter jets at Roosevelt Roads Naval Station between 10:02 PM and 10:16 PM UTC on September 13th, 2025, establishing the base as a staging area amid escalating maritime tensions with Venezuela. The F-35 units are believed to originate from squadrons including VMFA-225 "Vikings", VMFAT-502, and VMFA-122, according to social media reports and AFP identifications. Earlier on September 14th, U.S. Navy forces operating from the USS Jason Dunham boarded and searched a tuna fishing vessel in international waters in the Southern Caribbean Sea. Venezuela's Foreign Ministry stated the U.S. Navy "illegally and hostilely boarded" the boat, which they claim was authorized to fish within Venezuela's Exclusive Economic Zone. Nine fishermen aboard the vessel were detained for eight hours before being released under the escort of the Venezuelan Navy. Footage of the boarding was released. Venezuela has previously announced that 8 million militiamen are preparing to defend the nation, and has accused the U.S. Navy of assaulting its fishing boat "Carmen Rosa" and U.S. Marines from the USS Jason Dunham of assaulting a cartel ship. Venezuelan official Jorge RodrĂguez has faced criticism regarding his lifestyle amid national defense preparations, with social media posts questioning public financial contributions. Opposition figure Macario GonzĂĄlez, former mayor of Barquisimeto, remains reported missing as of September 13th, 2025, following a fire at an establishment in Barquisimeto on the same day.
