operations against drug cartels in the Caribbean. The arrival comes more than a week after ships carrying hundreds of US marines deployed to Puerto Rico for a training exercise. Puerto Rico’s Governor Jenniffer González said Hegseth and Caine visited the US territory to support those participating in the training. “We thank President Trump and his administration for recognising the strategic importance of Puerto Rico to US national security and for their fight against drug cartels and the narco-dictator Nicolás Maduro,” González said. Hegseth and Caine met with officials at the 156th Wing Muñiz Air National Guard Base in Carolina, a city just east of the capital, San Juan. González said Hegseth spoke to nearly 300 soldiers at the base and thanked those he described as “American warriors” for their work.

The visit comes as the US prepares to deploy 10 F-35 fighter jets to Puerto Rico for operations targeting drug cartels, a person familiar with the planning said Saturday. The person spoke only on condition of anonymity because information about the deployments has not been made public. (Jamaica Gleaner)