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US Military Bolsters Caribbean Presence with Fighter Jets and Bombers Near Venezuela
The recent deployment of US military aircraft, including F/A-18 Super Hornets and B-52H Stratofortress bombers, near Venezuela has heightened regional attention amid ongoing pressure on the Maduro regime. Open-source tracking data revealed the movements of two F/A-18 Super Hornets north of Venezuela this past Sunday, coinciding with the resumption of operations by the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier.
The increased US military activity is framed by Washington as part of an offensive to disrupt criminal networks operating throughout the hemisphere. According to records from FlightRadar24, the two Super Hornets, identified with callsigns “RHINO11” and “RHINO12,” were observed flying over airspace north of Curacao and off the coast of Venezuela’s Falcón state.
The F/A-18 Super Hornet is the US navy’s primary fighter aircraft, designed for both combat and patrol missions from aircraft carriers. The department of Defense describes the aircraft as “multi-mission capable,” equipped to perform air-to-air and air-to-surface operations with a 20mm internal cannon and the capacity to carry guided missiles and precision weapons. The Navy further states the aircraft is designed for close air support, escort duties, attacking military infrastructure, and suppressing enemy defenses.
This latest activity builds on a week of increased US air presence in the Caribbean. Three days prior to the Super Hornet flights, two B-52H Stratofortress strategic bombers flew over northeastern Curacao, as also tracked by FlightRadar24.These aircraft, operating from Minot Air Base in North Dakota, conducted long-range flights positioning them off Venezuela’s western coast.
“these devices play an essential role in deterrence doctrine,” stated a representative from the United States Strategic Command, adding that the flights aim “to demonstrate global capability and operational readiness.” One of the B-52s, identified as “PARKA11,” departed the US before dawn and was later recorded in Caribbean airspace, joined by a second bomber establishing a strategic strike presence.
The Department of Defense emphasized the B-52’s ability to carry a wide range of weaponry and its frequent participation in international exercises to coordinate with regional partners and assess crisis response capabilities.
prior to the bomber flyovers, six P-8A Poseidon aircraft, specialized in maritime patrol and vessel monitoring, were deployed to the area. The Southern Command utilizes these aircraft for continuous surveillance to detect illicit activities along routes used by criminal organizations transporting cargo to Central and North America.
The deployments are linked to Operation Southern Lance, initially announced by former President Donald Trump, which concentrates naval, air, and intelligence assets to counter drug trafficking and associated regional criminal networks. Washington maintains that a combination of manned aircraft and observation platforms is crucial for monitoring strategically vital maritime and air routes.
International monitoring systems confirm the US aircraft flew near Curacao and along the Venezuelan state of Falcón’s maritime border. The return of the USS Gerald R.Ford to the Caribbean further solidifies the US operational foothold in the region. The Navy explains that the carrier strike group includes destroyers, frigates, and aircraft capable of maintaining continuous patrols,
