Puerto Rico Reemerges as Key U.S. Military Hub in Caribbean Operations

Puerto Rico has become a central base for U.S. military operations in the Caribbean, supporting actions against drug cartels linked to Venezuela, according to a report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

CSIS reported that the island serves as the logistical backbone for forces under U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM). The Port of Ponce, on Puerto Rico’s southern coast, is hosting U.S. warships between patrols, and P-8A Poseidon reconnaissance aircraft are operating from National Guard facilities at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan.

The Roosevelt Roads Naval Station in Ceiba, closed for more than 20 years, has reopened to support military activity. F‑35 fighter jets have landed at the airfield, and the site is currently used for operations and logistical support.

The U.S. government has notified Congress that it is engaged in a “noninternational armed conflict” against transnational drug-trafficking organizations, now designated as foreign terrorist groups.

CSIS said that sustaining operations from Puerto Rico involves the use of the island’s ports and airfields for refueling, resupply, and reconnaissance. U.S. military vessels have also visited regional ports in Mexico and Panama operated by Hong Kong–based CK Hutchison Holdings.

By Afeefah Ahmad
IP Correspondent