U.S. F-35B Lightning II fighter jets arrived at the former Roosevelt Roads Naval Station in Ceiba, Puerto Rico, on September 13th, 2025, between 10:02 PM and 10:16 PM UTC, establishing the base as their primary staging area. The U.S. military deployment occurs amidst escalating maritime tensions between Venezuela and the United States in the Caribbean Sea. The arrival of the F-35 aircraft was confirmed via a social media post by Global Military Info on X at approximately 10:16 PM UTC, with thanks extended to [@HRPlanespotter](https://twitter.com/HRPlanespotter) for capturing the landings. This movement of U.S. fighter jets over Florida en route to Puerto Rico was previously reported. Venezuelan official Jorge RodrÃguez announced on September 13th, 2025, that 8 million militiamen are preparing to defend the nation, a statement made via VTV. This follows Venezuela's accusations that a U.S. Navy unit assaulted its fishing boat "Carmen Rosa" in international waters on the same day, causing damage. Further allegations suggest U.S. Marines from the USS Jason Dunham assaulted a ship belonging to the Los Soles cartel. Adding to the regional instability, opposition figure Macario González, former mayor of Barquisimeto, has been reported missing as of September 13th, 2025, with his whereabouts remaining unknown. A fire also broke out at an establishment in Barquisimeto on September 13th, 2025, as reported by the X account DesgobiernoPod.
