(Bloomberg) — An aging US naval base in Puerto Rico was left to decay for decades, but now it’s buzzing with the sound of fighter jets.
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As the Trump administration intensifies its efforts against drug smuggling off the coasts of Venezuela and Colombia, it is turning to smaller Caribbean locations like Grenada and Trinidad and Tobago for operational support. This pivot is placing economically fragile nations in a complicated position amidst an escalating US drug conflict that shows no sign of ending.
The US territory of Puerto Rico is feeling the squeeze the hardest, being home to a significant portion of the 10,000 troops currently stationed in the Caribbean. The uptick in military activity here is provoking a mixed response that swings from fear to outright support.
Since the start of September, the now-abandoned 8,700-acre Roosevelt Roads complex—once the largest US Navy base overseas—has become a launchpad for advanced military aircraft including F-35B stealth fighters, Osprey troop transporters, and C-17 Globemaster III cargo planes.
Although the full scope of the military’s presence has not been officially detailed, satellite imagery and news reports reveal at least three guided-missile destroyers, an amphibious attack group, and other combat vessels stationed off Venezuela’s coastline. Notably, the US Navy’s largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, is en route to the Caribbean.
The US Southern Command has characterized the Puerto Rican facilities as “excellent for our ongoing operations thanks to their proximity to international waters frequently used by drug smugglers.”
Governor Jenniffer Gonzalez, a staunch Trump ally, claims that this military intervention is beneficial for Puerto Rico’s safety and economic opportunities.
However, that sentiment isn’t universally shared. Puerto Rico, despite not being certified as part of the Caribbean Community, was notably absent when 14 members of this group recently declared the area a “peace zone,” advocating for resolving security challenges through international cooperation and legal channels.
In contrast, Trinidad’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who supports U.S. initiatives, continues to phrase violent retribution against drug traffickers favorably, despite not endorsing the peace zone statement.
While much of this military escalation remains unnoticed at sea, the happenings at Roosevelt Roads—often called Rosy Roads—are impossible to ignore.
Monisha Ríos, a former Army veteran, has taken note of the surge in aircraft activity from her porch, which offers a view of the base now known as José Aponte de la Torre Airport. Though briefly utilized by Puerto Rico’s National Guard, the arrival of Ospreys in September indicated a significant new military operation.
In fact, shortly thereafter, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made an unannounced visit.
Since early September, the US military has reported 14 attacks on vessels suspected of drug trafficking, resulting in the deaths of over 60 individuals, including Venezuelans, Colombians, and Trinidadians.
“Conducting strikes in international waters puts us in a moral quandary,” Ríos lamented.
Amid growing scrutiny of the legality surrounding the Trump administration’s ongoing operations, the president has hinted at potential strikes on Venezuela’s mainland and has empowered the CIA to act against Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro, who the U.S. labels a terrorist. Recent updates suggest that the U.S. has established specific targets for future action, including military installations.
A Troubled History
Rosy Roads was commissioned in 1940 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, aimed at creating a defense stronghold in the region. The military exploited nearby Vieques for bomb exercises, which sparked years of protests. In an incident wherein now-U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy was arrested during clashes, the base was ultimately decommissioned and handed over to Puerto Rican leadership in 2004 due to community pressure.
Since then, the site has become synonymous with neglect in a territory struggling with financial ruin and frequent power outages. Various proposals to repurpose it into a shipyard, marina, spaceport, or tourism hub have failed. Looters have also dismantled parts of the infrastructure including the main dining area, alleys, and dormitories.
Ríos has envisioned transforming part of the base to provide crucial health services for communities on the adjacent Vieques and Culebra islands.
Now, she fears that the US military’s actions could provoke hostile responses from neighboring nations.
“If I were still in active service, I’d refuse orders in this scenario.”
(This piece has been updated to include details about reported target selections.)
