According to reports, two B-1 Lancer aircraft took off from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, and neared the Venezuelan coastline on October 23, 2025. The sortie was described as a routine regional training mission. The broader task group allegedly included eight naval vessels, P-8A Poseidon patrol aircraft, MQ-9 Reaper drones, and a Marine F-35B squadron based in Puerto Rico.

Trump Denies Bomber Flight Reports

Authorities maintained the operation was not a provocation and focused on improving regional coordination. When questioned by reporters, President Donald Trump denied the report, saying “No, it’s false.” Independent flight trackers nevertheless recorded two B-1 aircraft operating roughly 90 miles (145 km) from Venezuelan airspace, prompting diplomatic concern in Caracas.

Expanding Regional Posture

The regional U.S. deployment reportedly includes over 10,000 personnel, eight warships, and one attack submarine, marking the largest Caribbean presence in decades. Officials linked the expansion to curbing cross-Caribbean drug flows and reinforcing deterrence across the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific.

“We Will Hit Them Very Hard”

Commenting on regional operations, national leadership stated the country was “not happy with Venezuela for many reasons, drugs being one of them,” warning that if traffickers moved by land, “we will hit them very hard.” The remarks suggested readiness to extend operations beyond maritime areas if necessary.

Operations Extend Into Pacific Waters

Since early September, the campaign has reportedly reached the eastern Pacific, with at least nine vessel strikes and around 37 fatalities. Officials described the actions as part of an integrated counter-narcotics initiative, supported by persistent aerial surveillance and naval interdiction assets.