US Southern Command released footage showing a US Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II being loaded in Puerto Rico, amid Venezuela’s recent accusations of American stealth aircraft flying near its coastline.<br /><br />Earlier this week, Caracas claimed that five F-35Bs had flown near Venezuelan waters, stressing that the country “will not be intimidated” by the military activity.<br /><br />Defense analysts from the portal Área Militar reviewed the released footage and identified the aircraft’s arsenal, which included:<br /><br />AIM-120C AMRAAM missiles – designed for medium-range air-to-air combat (appearing in the footage with fins removed for logistical transport).<br /><br />GBU-54 LJDAM 500-pound bomb – equipped with laser and GPS/INS guidance for precision strikes on ground targets.<br /><br />AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles – modern short-range infrared-guided weapons effective in close aerial combat.<br /><br />The incident comes amid escalating diplomatic and military tensions between the United States and Venezuela, which has strengthened ties with Russia, China, and Iran.<br /><br />According to Washington, the F-35Bs’ presence in Puerto Rico is linked solely to regional training and maintaining operational readiness of US forces in the Caribbean. Venezuelan sources, however, view the deployment as an act of intimidation.<br /><br />Source and images: US Southern Command
