On December 17, 2025, the US deployed at least five MC-130J Commando II aircraft and nine CV-22B Ospreys to Puerto Rico amid rising tensions with Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro. This military buildup, part of Operation Southern Spear, aims to enhance US special operations capabilities in the region, preparing for potential actions against the Venezuelan regime. The deployment signifies a strategic emphasis on regional power projection, offering insights for India in reinforcing its defense posture in the Indo-Pacific against similar hybrid threats. By analyzing US operational strategies, India could bolster its maritime security and counter adversarial influences in its own neighborhood.