The United States is significantly enhancing its military presence in the Caribbean, with a focus on Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, positioning itself strategically near Venezuela. This military buildup, concentrated around the long-abandoned Roosevelt Roads naval base in Puerto Rico, is generating speculation that it could be preparing for potential operations inside Venezuela, a country led by President Nicolás Maduro.
Strategic Military Upgrades in Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands
The U.S. military has begun extensive upgrades at the former Roosevelt Roads base, located in Ceiba, Puerto Rico. This facility, once one of the largest U.S. naval stations, was closed in 2004. However, satellite images from September 2025 show ongoing construction activity, including the repaving of taxiways that would accommodate fighter jets and large cargo planes, such as the U.S. Air Force’s C-17 Globemaster III.
In addition to refurbishing the taxiways, there are reports of portable air traffic control towers and other mobile security equipment being set up. These changes suggest that the base could soon be used to host a variety of military aircraft, including fighter jets, bombers, and surveillance planes. In late September, U.S. Marine Corps Ospreys, helicopters, and F-35 fighter jets were observed at the base.
Further south, at Rafael Hernández Airport in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, significant upgrades have also taken place. These include the installation of mobile air traffic control systems and radar systems, typically used in military operations or crisis zones. Experts speculate that these upgrades are designed to support an increased flow of military aircraft into the region, enhancing the U.S. military’s operational capacity.
Nearby, at Henry E. Rohlsen Airport on St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands, construction is underway to improve parking and refueling capacities for military aircraft. Additionally, new radar systems have been identified at the airport, increasing the region’s ability to monitor air traffic.
Increasing Presence of U.S. Naval Forces
The U.S. has also stepped up its naval presence in the Caribbean, with several warships and support vessels moving into the region. Notably, the USS Gerald Ford, the world’s largest aircraft carrier, is on its way to the area, along with a number of destroyers, cruisers, and amphibious assault ships. These vessels have been seen in close proximity to Venezuela’s waters, further fueling speculation that U.S. forces are preparing for possible operations targeting the Venezuelan regime.
In addition to these warships, a variety of support ships, including refueling tankers such as the USNS Joshua Humphreys and hospital ships like the USNS Comfort, have been stationed in the region. Satellite images from October 2025 show several of these vessels near Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, while others have been tracked close to Venezuela’s coastline.
Increased Air Operations
The air component of the U.S. military presence has also been bolstered. The Ford aircraft carrier is expected to deploy up to 75 military aircraft, including F-35 fighters and other advanced aircraft. In addition to this, U.S. Air Force bombers have conducted frequent sorties over the Caribbean. In October, B-1B Lancer bombers and B-52 Stratofortress bombers flew missions near Venezuela, including flights on October 15 and 23. These bombers were seen circling off the coast of Venezuela, likely to showcase U.S. air power and to gather intelligence.
Alongside these bombers, U.S. surveillance planes, including P-8 Poseidon aircraft, have conducted numerous flights over the region. These planes are tasked with intelligence-gathering missions, likely aimed at monitoring Venezuelan military movements, as well as potential narcotrafficking routes. These flights occurred throughout October and show a continuous effort to gather real-time intelligence on the ground.
Focus on Counter-Narcotrafficking and Strategic Messaging
While much of the official explanation for this buildup points to counter-narcotrafficking operations in the Caribbean, analysts believe that the U.S. military buildup could be sending a strong message to the Venezuelan government. U.S. officials, particularly those from the Trump administration, have been vocal about their commitment to confronting “narcoterrorism” and securing the region from drug cartels.
This military presence comes on the heels of the U.S. escalating its operations against drug vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific. At least 14 strikes on suspected drug trafficking vessels were carried out between September and October, reportedly killing over 60 individuals. These strikes, in addition to the heavy naval and air presence, suggest the U.S. is both enhancing its military footprint in the region and sending a signal to Maduro that U.S. forces are ready and capable of intervening if necessary.
Special Forces Operations and Secrecy
A particularly intriguing aspect of the buildup is the presence of the MV Ocean Trader, a vessel believed to be associated with U.S. Special Forces operations. Satellite imagery shows the ship operating off the coast of Venezuela and docking in Puerto Rico. Maritime security experts suggest that the MV Ocean Trader is capable of deploying special forces and helicopters, and may be involved in covert operations in the region.
Other U.S. military ships such as USS Iwo Jima, USS Stockdale, and USS Gravely have also been observed in the Caribbean, indicating the deployment of U.S. naval forces in support of larger operational objectives. These ships are often equipped with advanced missile systems and are capable of carrying out a variety of military operations, including amphibious assaults.
The Long-Term Strategy: Pressure on Maduro’s Regime
While the immediate purpose of this buildup remains unclear, it seems likely that the U.S. is preparing for potential actions inside Venezuela, particularly against the Maduro regime. Experts believe that the enhancements to U.S. military infrastructure in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, combined with the naval and air assets now stationed in the region, could be part of a larger strategy to intimidate the Venezuelan government and possibly create internal divisions within the military. The idea is that by showcasing this immense military power so close to Venezuela, the U.S. could force the Venezuelan leadership to reconsider its stance or prompt defections among key military personnel.
Venezuela’s Response and Regional Tensions
Venezuelan officials, led by President Maduro, have regularly accused the U.S. of attempting to destabilize the country and orchestrate regime change. The increased U.S. military presence is likely to further escalate tensions in the region, especially with neighboring countries like Colombia, which has historically had tense relations with Venezuela, and with Caribbean nations caught in the middle of U.S. military operations.
In sum, the United States is making significant preparations in the Caribbean, bolstering its military presence in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands while intensifying air and naval operations in the region. While the official narrative stresses counter-narcotrafficking, the scale and scope of the operation suggest a broader strategic intent, potentially focused on Venezuela. The U.S. military’s readiness for a variety of operations could indicate plans for more direct intervention or sustained pressure on Venezuela’s government in the coming months.
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