The US has ordered the deployment of ten F-35 fighter jets to an airport in Puerto Rico for anti-drug operations, sources quoted by "Reuters" reported, News.bg reports.
The new deployment comes amid an already bustling US military presence in the southern Caribbean as President Donald Trump fulfills his campaign promise to combat groups accused of smuggling drugs into the US.
The move comes three days after a US airstrike on a boat that Trump said was carrying "huge amounts of drugs" from Venezuela, which killed 11 people. The 10 fighter jets will join seven US warships and a nuclear-powered fast submarine carrying more than 4,500 troops. The planes are expected to arrive by the end of next week.
US forces have been conducting amphibious exercises and flying operations in the region, putting pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, whom the Pentagon describes as a "narco-state boss". Maduro has accused the US of "seeking regime change through military threat".
US authorities have not specified the legal basis for the strike on the boat or the type of drugs on board, but Trump has said the crew is linked to the Venezuelan gang "Tren de Aragua", which was designated a terrorist organisation in February.