US Sends Jets to Puerto Rico as Venezuelan Fly-By Raises Tension

The US will deploy stealth fighter jets to the Caribbean, according to a government official, after two Venezuelan military aircraft flew over an American naval vessel in the area, reflecting rising tensions between the two adversaries.

Venezuela’s fly-by on Thursday followed a US strike on a speedboat purportedly carrying drugs from the country. “This highly provocative move was designed to interfere with our counter-narcotics operations,” the Pentagon said. It said the “cartel” running Venezuela is “strongly advised” not to interfere with any other operations by the US.