Vermont Progressive Party Petitions State Officials to Oppose Deployment of Vermont Air National Guard to Puerto Rico

The Vermont Progressive Party has launched a petition calling on state officials to oppose the deployment of the Vermont Air National Guard to Puerto Rico as part of a U.S. military operation in the Caribbean, arguing the deployment was authorized without congressional approval and violates state, federal, and international law.

In a December 15 statement announcing the petition, the party denounced the deployment as part of “Operation Southern Spear,” a military operation announced last month by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. According to U.S. Southern Command, which is co-leading the effort, the operation involves an increased U.S. military presence in the Caribbean, including naval and air assets, as part of efforts “to dismantle Transnational Criminal Organizations and counter narco-terrorism in defense of the Homeland.”

In its petition, the party states that U.S. Sen. Peter Welch confirmed that the Vermont Air National Guard is being deployed to the Caribbean, specifically noting Puerto Rico, to take part in the operation. The party objects to the deployment as an abuse of authority and argues it was authorized without proper congressional approval or oversight.

“The Vermont Progressive Party supports a Vermont in a nation that prioritizes the welfare of the 99% over funding death and destruction overseas and an unjust international order,” the statement reads.

The petition is collecting individual signatures and urges action from the Vermont State Senate Government Operations Committee and the House Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs, which are responsible for overseeing the Vermont Air National Guard, as well as Gov. Phil Scott and the state’s congressional delegation to oppose the deployment.

The party also reiterated past calls for a reduction in military spending, opposition to foreign wars, challenges to the influence of the military-industrial complex, and redirecting resources toward domestic and international efforts focused on humanitarian and economic development as a form of global solidarity.