The 2013 Aguadilla UFO Video
Puerto Rico’s Mystery and the Ongoing Debate
The 2013 Aguadilla UFO video stands out as one of the most scrutinized and discussed UAP sightings ever recorded in Puerto Rico. Captured by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection aircraft on April 26, 2013, near Aguadilla, the footage shows a mysterious object moving rapidly over land and sea, exhibiting flight patterns that have sparked debate among experts and skeptics alike.
Puerto Rico has gained a reputation as a hotspot for UFO sightings, and the Aguadilla incident is one of its most intriguing cases. Researchers and government agencies have studied the video, but the object's origins and behavior remain unexplained. The event continues to fuel interest in UAP investigations on the island and beyond.
Background of the 2013 Aguadilla UFO Sighting
On April 25, 2013, an aerial event near Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, resulted in footage that continues to generate interest. The encounter involved a fast-moving object tracked and recorded by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Geographical and Historical Context
Aguadilla is a city located on Puerto Rico’s northwest coast, directly facing the Atlantic Ocean. The region is notable for its proximity to the Puerto Rico Trench, one of the deepest parts of the Atlantic, and an area sometimes referenced in discussions about unidentified aerial phenomena and UFO cases.
Puerto Rico has a history of reported UFO sightings, partly attributed to its strategic military location and presence of sensitive installations. The combination of ocean, airspace, and remote landscapes has made it a recurring site for reports. Aguadilla’s coastal setting offers direct access to both air and sea, factors central to the 2013 incident.
Initial Discovery and Incident Timeline
The incident began around 9:20 PM local time as a U.S. Customs and Border Protection aircraft prepared for landing at Rafael Hernández Airport. Operating an infrared sensor, the crew detected an object moving over land toward the sea at low altitude and apparent high speed.
Observers noted the object lacked visible lights and demonstrated unusual flight characteristics. It maneuvered through urban and coastal areas, sometimes appearing to split into two parts and entering the ocean near the shoreline.
The encounter was captured in detail using infrared imaging. The timeline and sequence of movements recorded remain a focus of ongoing analysis by both government agencies and independent researchers.
Details of the Aguadilla, Puerto Rico UFO Video
The Aguadilla UFO video from 2013 has sparked considerable debate due to its government origin and unique visual evidence. Its thermal imaging footage, official source, and the rapid movements of the object have led to close scrutiny by researchers and skeptics.
Footage Overview and Authenticity
The video was recorded on April 25, 2013, near Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. It was captured by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) aircraft during a routine low-altitude surveillance flight.
The footage shows an unidentified object flying inland before moving towards the ocean. The object appears to travel at high speed, maneuver with agility, split into two separate parts, and enter the water—actions that have fueled speculation about its origins.
Key details include:
Length: About 3 minutes.
Visual: Object appears dark against a lighter thermal landscape.
Environment: Filmed at night using infrared, limiting visible detail.
No transponder detected by radar according to official reports.
Authenticity of the video is supported by FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) releases and confirmation of CBP involvement. Multiple analyses have failed to identify conventional aircraft or drones that match the observed behavior.
Video Capture by U.S. Customs and Border Protection
The event began when CBP personnel operating from Rafael Hernandez Airport noticed an unidentified flying object entering controlled airspace. The CBP aircraft was equipped for surveillance missions supporting border security across Puerto Rico.
The crew began tracking the object with onboard sensors. The camera operator used both wide and zoomed views to maintain footage of the object throughout its flight path. The object's movements, including a possible "splitting" event and seamless water entry, were captured continuously.
CBP protocols dictated that any suspicious unidentified radar or visual contact in restricted airspace be documented. Internal records verify that the Aguadilla sighting was logged in real time, with original copies stored for investigative review.
Camera Technology and Thermal Imaging
The video was captured using a FLIR (Forward Looking Infrared) camera mounted on a CBP DHC-8 aircraft. FLIR systems detect heat signatures in the infrared spectrum, allowing objects to be seen even in total darkness.
This was critical for the Aguadilla event, as the encounter happened at night. The thermal video highlighted temperature contrasts. For example, the UFO appeared colder—or sometimes hotter—than its environment, making it stand out on film.
Technical notes:
The FLIR camera offered high resolution, but fine details like precise shape or markings were difficult to determine.
Infrared video can occasionally misrepresent size, speed, or distance due to atmospheric and equipment limitations.
No additional visible-video was captured, as the CBP camera operator relied solely on thermal imaging to document the unidentified aerial activity.
Analysis of the Unidentified Object
The 2013 Aguadilla UFO video shows an object exhibiting behaviors that are difficult to explain with known aircraft, drones, or weather phenomena. Key aspects of the case include its infrared heat trail, irregular flight, and transitions between air and water.
Heat Signatures and Flight Patterns
The object's infrared heat signature was captured by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection aircraft using thermal imaging equipment. The object appeared as a distinct, relatively cool anomaly compared to the surrounding environment, without the expected hot exhaust typically associated with planes or helicopters.
Observations indicated the object moved at variable speeds, sometimes accelerating rapidly or decelerating, and making tight turns without obvious loss of control. These sudden trajectory changes, including sharp changes in both heading and altitude, differ from the smooth, predictable movement of conventional aerial vehicles.
A key moment documented in the footage occurred when the object seemingly split into two separate objects while in mid-air. The split was captured clearly and both objects continued moving independently, raising further doubts about traditional explanations like balloons, drones, or birds.
Unidentified Aerial and Submerged Phenomena
Soon after its mid-air maneuvers, the object demonstrated characteristics associated with USOs (Unidentified Submerged Objects) by moving into and under the surface of the water. The transition between air and sea appeared seamless, with no splash, disruption, or visible change in speed.
No loss of thermal signature was detected during the entry into the water. The object seemed to continue emitting an infrared signal even while submerged, a detail that is rarely observed in conventional or known submersible technologies.
This combination of aerial agility and apparent underwater capability has contributed to its classification as a UAP (Unidentified Anomalous Phenomenon). Witnesses and analysts have highlighted these features as especially significant, since they represent behavior not demonstrated by standard aircraft or marine vessels.
Expert Evaluations and UAP Classification
Investigations by government and independent experts have considered multiple explanations, such as birds, released lanterns, or commercial drones. A 2017 analysis by researchers Lianza et al. proposed that the video could show two lanterns tied together, although this explanation does not account for all reported maneuvers.
Table: Key Features Considered by Analysts
Feature Conventional Explanation UAP Candidate Heat signature (no exhaust) No Yes Sharp aerial turns Unlikely Yes Seamless water entry No Yes Object splitting in air Unlikely Yes
The U.S. government's All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) and other specialists still classify this incident as a UAP/USO. Unresolved questions about its origin and behavior keep the case open for technical review.
Involvement of Government Agencies
Multiple U.S. government agencies became involved after the 2013 Aguadilla UFO incident, each playing a distinct role. Their actions influenced public access to information, raised questions about national security, and involved coordination between civilian and military personnel.
Homeland Security and National Security Implications
The unidentified aerial phenomenon (UAP) was first captured by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection aircraft, an agency under the Department of Homeland Security.
Secure airspace around Puerto Rico is considered sensitive due to its strategic military location. The apparent ability of the object to evade detection and control protocols led to questions about potential risks to national security.
The incident prompted internal reviews to assess whether restricted airspace had been violated. There was also consideration of the object's possible links to unauthorized surveillance or foreign technology, magnifying the focus on security concerns.
Role of Military Personnel
Military involvement was limited but significant. While the initial detection and recording came from Customs and Border Protection, analysis and follow-up questions implicated various branches of the armed forces.
Personnel from the U.S. Air Force and other defense-related agencies engaged in reviewing the video footage to rule out potential threats. This included technical analysis of flight characteristics and object behavior.
Reports indicate coordination between military analysts and intelligence officers. Their primary focus was to determine whether the object could be attributed to known military or civilian technologies, or if it represented an unknown threat.
Freedom of Information Act Requests
The video and related documentation became the subject of several Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. Researchers, journalists, and civilian organizations sought official records, sensor data, and analysis reports.
Some agencies responded by releasing specific files, such as raw infrared video footage and summary documents. However, redactions and classified sections limited the details provided to the public.
Efforts to gain unclassified access resulted in partial disclosures. The release of the Aguadilla incident video through FOIA became a reference point for similar requests involving UAP incidents, highlighting ongoing tensions between transparency and the need to protect sensitive information.
Scientific and Public Investigations
The Aguadilla UFO video from 2013 has prompted detailed inquiries from both scientific groups and public UFO investigators. Multiple organizations and media outlets have analyzed the footage, offering technical reviews and sparking widespread debate.
Scientific Coalition for UAP Studies (SCU) Report
The Scientific Coalition for UAP Studies (SCU) conducted one of the most rigorous scientific reviews of the Aguadilla incident. Their report included a frame-by-frame analysis of the infrared video, wind and weather data, and flight patterns of known aircraft.
SCU’s investigators concluded that the object’s flight dynamics, speed, and ability to seemingly split into two defied conventional explanation. They ruled out balloons, birds, drones, or conventional aircraft based on thermal signatures and movement patterns.
The report was made publicly available, providing a detailed technical appendix for independent scrutiny. SCU’s findings remain a point of reference in broader UAP studies.
UFO Investigators and Public Interest
Independent UFO investigators such as those contributing to the Richard Dolan Show, and enthusiasts like Andy Marcial, played a key role in bringing attention to the Aguadilla case. Detailed breakdowns and debates often appeared across online forums, YouTube, and dedicated blogs.
These investigators have analyzed the behavior of the object, discussed witness testimonies, and reviewed government documents released through FOIA requests. Their efforts helped clarify the timeline and specifics, pushing for transparency from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Public interest remained high as amateur analysts provided alternate explanations and visualization tools, driving further discussions within the broader UFO community.
Media Coverage and Documentaries
The Aguadilla incident has been featured in several documentaries and news features. Shows such as “The Proof is Out There” on the History Channel have replayed the video, including expert commentary and computer reconstructions of the encounter.
Filmmakers like Darcy Weir have included the case in broader UAP-focused works, sometimes highlighting its unique infrared evidence and the official government response. Media coverage has often focused on the footage’s mysterious qualities and the clarity of the military-grade video.
Documentaries continue to update audiences as new reports and analyses surface, keeping the incident visible in discussions about unidentified aerial phenomena.
Technology, Data, and Privacy Concerns
Technical details surrounding the Aguadilla UFO video highlight issues with location tracking, data protection procedures, and the handling of individuals’ information. Infrared sensors, flight data, and government protocols all influence how information was collected, stored, and distributed.
Geolocation Data and Coordinates
The Aguadilla video was recorded using a U.S. Customs and Border Protection aircraft equipped with advanced infrared sensors. This equipment captured not only video footage but also precise geolocation data such as GPS coordinates and altitude readings.
Security systems often log the timestamp, heading, and coordinates of the object and the aircraft itself. This information is used to validate the event’s authenticity and provides a detailed flight path for subsequent analysis.
Sharing exact geolocation data can, however, raise concerns if the information reveals sensitive locations or operational zones. Disclosing these coordinates could compromise airport security or expose the methods used by national security personnel in tracking potential aerial threats.
Data Security and Privacy Settings
Government agencies are required to implement strict data security measures when recording and storing UAP footage. The Aguadilla event’s thermal video and associated metadata are typically archived in protected systems that require controlled access.
Privacy settings determine who can access such files. Only authorized personnel—such as analysts or higher-level officials—are granted credentials. This reduces the risk of accidental leaks or unauthorized disclosures.
The use of secure channels, encrypted storage, and audit logs helps protect sensitive information, including IP addresses and identifying metadata. These protocols are especially important when responding to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests to ensure that nothing compromising is released unintentionally.
Personal Data and Consent
Surveillance operations like the Aguadilla recording can unintentionally capture personal data—such as private locations, identifying marks, or even nearby civilians—without their direct consent. This raises ethical and legal questions regarding the collection and display of such information.
Government agencies must review footage before public release, redacting faces or other private details where necessary. They are also required to consider whether the collection of such data complies with legal privacy protections and internal guidelines.
Explicit consent from individuals is not always feasible in an operational environment. However, policies exist to ensure that any exposed personal information, including names or addresses that might appear, is protected according to data privacy laws and agency regulations.
Online Platforms and Audience Engagement
Digital platforms have changed how the Aguadilla UFO video is shared, discussed, and analyzed. Robust data handling practices, targeted digital advertising, and advanced authentication shape both user experience and online safety for those following or debating the incident.
Content Measurement and Audience Research
Platforms like YouTube and news outlets analyze how audiences interact with the Aguadilla UFO content. They track view counts, average watch times, comment frequency, and user demographics to understand engagement.
This audience research enables publishers to refine their coverage. For example, they might use A/B testing to see which headlines or video formats gain more attention. Engagement statistics also influence which stories or video breakdowns are promoted to new viewers.
Tools such as analytics dashboards, social listening platforms, and direct user feedback help identify trending topics and sentiment. Publishers use these insights to decide whether to produce long-form investigations, quick news updates, or visual explainers.
Personalised Advertising and Services Development
Ad networks, including those owned by companies like Yahoo, rely on user data to serve personalised advertising around UFO-related content. Ad targeting uses viewing history, search data, and inferred interests to suggest relevant ads—such as science documentaries or home security devices.
This approach aims to increase ad relevance and click-through rates. Services development also benefits, as platforms notice which features—such as video recommendations or comment moderation—are needed to maintain audience interest.
User data collection operates under terms described in the cookie policy. By analyzing ongoing behavior, media companies can develop specialized news sections, notification preferences, or interactive tools tailored for UFO enthusiasts.
Cookies, Authentication, and Security Measures
Cookies play a major role in managing user sessions, tracking preferences, and supporting advertising models. When individuals log in to discuss the Aguadilla UFO video, cookies authenticate users and enable personalized settings, such as dark mode or language preferences.
Authentication is essential for comment sections and member-only forums. Some sites implement multi-factor authentication to deter account breaches. Security measures also include encryption and bot detection to protect data integrity and maintain safe discourse.
These measures are detailed in site privacy and cookie policies. Regular audits and updates ensure that only legitimate users can interact, keeping personal details and discussions about the UFO incident secure.
Search Data and Preventing Spam
Search queries related to the Aguadilla incident generate valuable search data for analysis. Publishers and tech companies examine what users type—such as “Aguadilla UFO full video” or “Puerto Rico UAP government report”—to refine website content and highlight frequently asked questions.
Automated systems scan for spam behavior, including repetitive messages and link dumping. Filters block suspicious activity in comment sections or live chats. Some platforms cross-check accounts through CAPTCHAs and reputation scores to prevent spammers from derailing meaningful discussions.
Preventing spam maintains the credibility of forums and information sources, ensuring that serious debate around the Aguadilla UFO remains accessible and relevant for genuine users.
Legacy and Impact on UFO Research
The 2013 Aguadilla UFO video has sparked notable shifts in how unidentified phenomena are studied and discussed. Its public release and analysis have contributed to official and civilian investigations into UAPs (Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena).
Influence on UAP Studies
The Aguadilla incident has gained attention in both official and independent UFO research circles. Organizations, including the U.S. government and the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), have cited such videos as impactful examples in evaluating unidentified aerial and submerged objects.
The video’s clear imagery—showing a fast-moving object that appears to split and interact with both air and water—has made it a case study for new investigative methods. Researchers use it in technical analyses, applying infrared interpretation and object-tracking techniques to better understand UAP behavior.
Key impacts of the Aguadilla video on UAP studies include:
Increased use of multi-spectral analysis
Expansion of civilian-led investigations
Inclusion in scientific forums and briefings
Both military and academic sectors now reference the Aguadilla case in requests for transparency and data-sharing on unexplained sightings.
Ongoing Debates in the UFO Community
Within the UFO community, the Aguadilla video has fueled disagreements about interpretation and authenticity. Some hold it as strong evidence for potential extraterrestrial activity, focusing on the object's unique flight path and what appears to be underwater movement.
Others argue for conventional explanations, such as malfunctioning drones or birds, stressing limitations in the thermal imaging footage and environmental factors. Official claims have at times dismissed extraterrestrial involvement, but this stance has not ended speculation or discussion in public forums.
Table: Contrasting Views in the UFO Community
Group Main Interpretation Example Justification Extraterrestrial Hypothesis ET activity is possible Unusual movement & object splitting Conventional Explanation Drone/bird/mundane causes Tech limitations, lack of clear ID
The Aguadilla footage remains a reference point in debates over what constitutes convincing evidence, reinforcing the divide between skeptics and those open to non-terrestrial explanations.
