Puerto Rico rises in protest over growing U.S. military presence
Hundreds of Puerto Ricans marched in protest against the increased U.S. naval presence near Venezuela and military exercises in the southern part of the island, particularly around the Muñiz Air Base.
Demonstrators, organised by Madres contra la Guerra (Mothers Against War), saw the manoeuvres as provocative gestures in an already volatile regional context.
Many participants carried signs urging peace—bearing slogans such as "Puerto Rico without militias, we demand justice", "For peace, we all stand", "Yankees out", and "Trump murderer"—voicing deep-seated fears of renewed militarisation.
Speakers and analysts at the march voiced concern that Washington aims to repurpose Puerto Rico as a strategic base for action against Venezuela—an unacceptable scenario, they argue, especially given Puerto Rico's colonial status despite its "Commonwealth" designation.
One protester, Solimar Ortiz Jusino, voiced frustration over the memory of previous U.S. military presence in Vieques, asking: “Why should we turn a blind eye now, when Puerto Rico risks being used again in this way?”.
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The protests coincided with the deployment of U.S. military assets to the island, including ten F-35 fighter jets—capable of carrying nuclear weapons—and amphibious landing exercises in southern Puerto Rico. These actions are part of a broader naval build-up in the Caribbean, which includes a fast-attack nuclear submarine and several other ships, prompting alarm from regional leaders.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
