U.S. Forces maintain air and naval presence near Venezuela
The United States has continued elevated air and maritime military activity in the Caribbean region following Saturday’s U.S. operation in Venezuela, with fighter aircraft and naval assets operating near Venezuelan borders, according to local reports.
Residents of Puerto Rico, where one of the United States’ operational military bases in the region is located, reported sustained fighter jet activity throughout the day. According to multiple local accounts, F-35 aircraft have conducted repeated sorties from a U.S. airfield on the island, while military transport helicopters have continued to arrive at the base. U.S. Navy surface vessels were also reported operating in nearby waters.
U.S. officials have not announced a reduction in operational tempo following the Venezuela operation. Observers in the region reported the presence of U.S. fighter aircraft, including F/A-18 and F-35 jets, conducting patrols along approaches to Venezuelan airspace. Maritime monitoring also indicated ongoing activity by U.S. military vessels in the Caribbean.
At a press conference earlier on Saturday, U.S. Air Force General Dan Caine outlined details of the U.S. operation in Venezuela. According to his remarks, the mission, designated Operation “Absolute Resolve,” involved the launch of 150 aircraft toward Venezuela from 20 bases across the Western Hemisphere.
General Caine said an extraction force composed of helicopters and a ground team approached the compound of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro at 01:01 Eastern Time on January 3, with the stated objective of capturing Maduro and his wife. He said the force was protected by an extensive air umbrella that included F-22, F-35, F/A-18, EA-18, and E-2 aircraft, as well as B-1 bombers and unmanned systems.
The U.S. military has not released additional details regarding the disposition of forces following the operation or provided further clarification on current mission objectives in the region. No official statement has been issued addressing the duration of the continued air and naval presence.
The Caribbean has served as a key operational area for U.S. forces supporting recent actions involving Venezuela, with Puerto Rico functioning as a logistical and aviation hub.
