Military Buildup in Puerto Rico Fuels Buzz of Strike on Venezuela

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Al Jazeera’s Phil Lavelle reports increased American deployments, revived bases, and major naval drills — raising questions about Washington’s next move.

By TRH Foreign Affairs Desk

New Delhi, December 2, 2025 — A significant expansion of the United States military presence in Puerto Rico is drawing global attention, with analysts and residents questioning whether Washington is preparing for a potential confrontation with Venezuela. Reporting from the island, Phil Lavelle of Al Jazeera described Puerto Rico as a “strategically advantageous place for the United States.”

Lavelle noted that as a US territory, Puerto Rico allows Washington to deploy military assets “with no issues to do with diplomacy and no having to ask permission.” The island lies just 800 kilometres from the Venezuelan coast, making it a prime staging ground for rapid military operations.

According to Lavelle, multiple installations across the island have seen renewed activity. One once-decommissioned base has been reopened after more than 20 years, now hosting US service personnel and aircraft — including what appear to be C-130s, F-35s, F-18s, and an estimated 12,000–15,000 military personnel in and around Puerto Rico.

The buildup extends offshore. The USS Gerald R. Ford, the world’s largest aircraft carrier and the centrepiece of a formidable strike group, is currently operating near the island. With capacity for 70 to 80 aircraft, the carrier has been conducting drills visible from Puerto Rico, Lavelle reported.

This surge in assets has led to growing speculation. One theory, Lavelle said, is that Washington may be positioning forces for a potential military strike on Venezuela, an option that US President Trump has publicly alluded to. Another view suggests the US is engaged in large-scale strategic posturing aimed at pressuring President Nicolás Maduro rather than preparing for imminent conflict.

Either way, the developments are being closely monitored — not just internationally, but on the island itself. Puerto Rico is home to a sizable Venezuelan community, and many there have held protests expressing concern and opposition to the escalating military activities.

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