The U.S. Air Force’s 823rd REDHORSE Squadron deployed to Ceiba between 1:09 AM and 2:05 AM UTC on October 3rd, 2025, to mill and overlay a new runway, according to an X post by OSINTWarfare. This deployment supports upcoming Caribbean operations. This deployment aligns with previous reports of increased U.S. military readiness in the Caribbean, including U.S. forces prepared for territorial seizure operations in Venezuela. President Donald Trump had previously notified Congress of a non-international armed conflict with designated terrorist organizations, directing operations against them. High-resolution imagery from September 30th, analyzed by [@LatinMilAv](https://twitter.com/LatinMilAv) and shared via [@Satellogic](https://twitter.com/Satellogic) and [@SkyfiApp](https://twitter.com/SkyfiApp), indicates a state of stagnation at El Libertador Air Base in Venezuela. Visible assets include 8x Shaanxi Y-8 transports and a Special Ops area, but the 16th Fighter Squadron, 'The Dragons', had no F-16s visible. Key C-130 and 707 transports appeared inoperable, suggesting the Venezuelan Air Force can field little more than its transports. Previous reports indicated that U.S. forces, centered around a Marine infantry battalion on and around Puerto Rico, are prepared for territorial seizure operations in Venezuela. Planners believe these forces are sufficient to seize and hold strategic facilities like ports and airfields within Venezuelan territory, with capabilities exceeding those typically associated with counter-drug trafficking missions. Venezuela had previously accused U.S. combat aircraft of violating its airspace on October 2nd, a claim denounced by Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López. The White House had not ruled out attacks within Venezuela, according to a senior Trump administration official. In a separate development reported on October 3rd, 2025, Venezuelan Prosecutor Darling Ortiz of Lara state requested to be apprehended for alleged abuses of power and "Indecorous Behavior." This request followed allegations that an "aviation general" of the Infante surname disseminated intimate videos of Ortiz through WhatsApp, according to an X post by @MundarayZair.
