The Take US-Venezuela military buildup tests Puerto Rico’s painful past
Dec 10, 2025
In this engaging discussion, historian Israel Melendez Ayala dives into Puerto Rico’s complex military past and present. He reveals the reactivation of Roosevelt Roads and the local community's shock at the troop buildup. Israel underscores Puerto Rico's strategic importance to the U.S. and unpacks the long history of military activities in Vieques, highlighting ongoing environmental and health impacts. He also tackles the paradox of Puerto Rican citizenship and concerns about becoming a target in U.S.-Venezuela tensions.
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Rapid Remilitarization Around Roosevelt Roads
- Puerto Rico has seen a sudden influx of troops, jets, helicopters and amphibious craft around Roosevelt Roads.
- Israel Melendez Ayala says the quiet town has transformed into a busy military hub almost overnight.
Puerto Rico As A Strategic Military Hub
- Puerto Rico's geography makes it a strategic 'unsinkable aircraft carrier' between the Atlantic and Caribbean.
- Israel Melendez Ayala explains the island has long been a logistical hub for U.S. regional hegemony and Cold War operations.
Drug War Framing Masks Broader Military Goals
- The Trump administration frames the buildup as an anti-narcotics operation tied to tensions with Venezuela.
- Israel Melendez Ayala warns this echoes past U.S. uses of military force disguised as drug interventions.