US bolsters Caribbean military presence with drones amid rising tensions with Venezuela

The U.S. has deployed drones, fighter jets, and other military assets to Puerto Rico as tensions with Venezuela escalate, amid accusations of drug trafficking and threats of further action.

The U.S. is bolstering its military presence in the Caribbean, with MQ-9 Reaper drones spotted at Rafael Hernandez Airport in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico on Saturday (December 27), as tensions with Venezuela continue to simmer

U.S. military has assembled a massive military force in the Caribbean, including an aircraft carrier, fighter jets and other warships. Ospreys and additional MC-130J Commando II aircraft arrived in Aguadilla in recent days.

U.S. President Donald Trump has accused the South American country of flooding the U.S. with drugs, and his administration has for months been bombing boats originating in South America that it alleges were carrying drugs. Many nations have condemned the attacks as extrajudicial killings.

Trump has also frequently threatened to start bombing drug infrastructure on land, and has authorized covert CIA activity directed at Caracas.

Production: Ricardo Ortiz and Daniel Lim/Reuters

The U.S. is bolstering its military presence in the Caribbean, with MQ-9 Reaper drones spotted at Rafael Hernandez Airport in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico on Saturday (December 27), as tensions with Venezuela continue to simmer

U.S. military has assembled a massive military force in the Caribbean, including an aircraft carrier, fighter jets and other warships. Ospreys and additional MC-130J Commando II aircraft arrived in Aguadilla in recent days.

U.S. President Donald Trump has accused the South American country of flooding the U.S. with drugs, and his administration has for months been bombing boats originating in South America that it alleges were carrying drugs. Many nations have condemned the attacks as extrajudicial killings.

Trump has also frequently threatened to start bombing drug infrastructure on land, and has authorized covert CIA activity directed at Caracas.

Production: Ricardo Ortiz and Daniel Lim/Reuters