The US Department of Defense has warned Venezuela to cease further provocative moves after two Venezuelan military aircraft flew near a US Navy ship in international waters.
The incident has heightened tensions between Washington and Caracas, with the Pentagon describing the Venezuelan aircraft’s actions as “highly provocative” and an attempt “to interfere with our counter-narco-terror operations”.
According to the Pentagon, the Venezuelan aircraft buzzed over the guided-missile destroyer Jason Dunham, prompting a stern warning from the US Department of Defense.
“Today, two Maduro regime military aircraft flew near a US Navy vessel in international waters,” the Pentagon said. “The cartel running Venezuela is strongly advised not to pursue any further effort to obstruct, deter or interfere with counter-narcotics and counter-terror operations carried out by the US military”.
The reported encounter between US and Venezuelan forces comes as President Nicolas Maduro announced the activation of Venezuela’s National Militia, citing increased threats from Washington.
Maduro stated that this marks the “first time in history that the communal units of the militia will be activated, spanning the national map from north to south, from east to west, down to the last community”.
The US has accused Maduro’s administration of operating and having close connections to drug trafficking cartels in Venezuela and the region.
In response, Washington doubled a reward to $50 million for information leading to Maduro’s arrest over allegations of his involvement in cocaine trafficking.
The US has also deployed several ships and a nuclear-powered submarine to the Caribbean and waters off the coast of Venezuela in an operation targeting drug cartels.
Maduro has raised alarms over the US naval deployment, claiming the US is “seeking a regime change through military threat” and promising to mobilize the country and declare “a republic in arms” if attacked by Washington.
The Venezuelan government has denounced the US’s “escalation of hostile actions and threats” and demanded guarantees that the US would “not deploy or threaten to use nuclear weapons in the region”.
The tensions escalated further after a US strike on a Venezuelan boat, which Trump said belonged to a criminal organization tied to Maduro, killing 11 people.
Caracas accused Washington of committing extrajudicial killings, saying “they murdered 11 people without due process”. Legal experts have questioned the legality of the attack, citing lack of evidence that the US was under imminent threat from those on board the vessel.
In response to the US deployment, Venezuela has deployed warships and drones to patrol its coastline.
Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino announced a “significant” drone deployment and naval patrols along the country’s Caribbean coast.
Maduro has also mobilized hundreds of thousands of local militia members to strengthen national security amid threats from Washington.
The situation remains volatile, with both sides engaging in a war of words and posturing. The US continues to assert its presence in the region, while Venezuela stands firm on its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
