The governor of Puerto Rico, Jenniffer González welcomed Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Air Force General Dan Caine

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Dan Caine landed in Puerto Rico today, where they were welcomed by Governor Jenniffer González. Their visit comes amidst the Trump administration's move to use the island as a stronghold against drug cartels and increasing anti-war protests on the island.

Hegseth and Caine made, this Monday, September 8, an unannounced visit to the Muñiz Air National Guard Base in Carolina, east of San Juan, where they met with nearly 300 personnel engaged in pre-planned amphibious training exercises by the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit. González praised the Trump administration, citing Puerto Rico's strategic importance in combating drug cartels, and her remarks invoked "the fight against drug cartels and the narco-dictator Nicolás Maduro."

This visit follows a surge in U.S. military presence on the island after 10 F-35 jets were deployed to Puerto Rico to support anti-narcotics operations, with at least eight warships deployed in the region as well as a U.S. airstrike on September 2 that killed 11 individuals aboard a Venezuelan vessel allegedly operated by the Tren de Aragua gang, whom the U.S. has labeled as a narco-terrorist network.

In Carolina, dozens gathered on Sunday to protest, holding signs reading "No to War" and "No to military bases in P.R." Protestors evoked painful memories of the 1999 Vieques tragedy, where a civilian guard was killed when the U.S. military dropped bombs near him as part of a training mission, a death that spurred the military's withdrawal from the municipality.

Sonia Santiago Hernández, founder of the group Mothers Against War, condemned the increased militarization, stating, "We denounce the existence of military bases in Puerto Rico." She also warned that Puerto Rico is being turned into a U.S. staging ground for regional military operations. Governor González brushed aside the backlash, reiterating that Puerto Rico is effectively functioning as a U.S. border in the Caribbean and is central to the anti-cartel mission.

Meanwhile, the National Guard's spokesman, Siul López, stressed to the AP that the Marines' training is "pre-planned" and distinct from other recent military deployments even as opinions over their connection remain mixed. Though he stated that he was unaware of when the training exercise in Puerto Rico was planned.

Reports indicate that the Defense Department is considering expanded basing, while VP J.D. Vance has defended military strikes and framed cartel operations as acts meriting force. Venezuela, in turn, has announced a major troop surge, raising forces from 10,000 to 25,000 in key border and coastlines to combat drug trafficking and push back against what Caracas calls U.S. militarization.