The U.S. Department of Defense reported on Friday that two F-16 fighter jets from the Bolivarian National Armed Force (FANB) flew over the USS Jason Dunham destroyer while it was sailing in international waters of the Caribbean Sea.
The maneuver was described by the Pentagon as a "highly provocative action," intended to interfere with the drug enforcement and counterterrorism operations carried out by the U.S. Navy in the region.
"The Pentagon warned in a statement published on its official X (formerly Twitter) account, 'It is strongly recommended that the cartel directing Venezuela refrain from making any further efforts to obstruct, deter, or interfere with the anti-narcotics and anti-terrorist operations carried out by the U.S. military.'"
The government of Nicolás Maduro has stated that it does not fear threats from Washington.
In a video shared by the Bolivarian National Armed Force (FANB) on social media, Venezuelan F-16 fighter jets are seen flying at low altitude over a warship, later identified as the USS Jason Dunham.
During an unusual press conference in Caracas, Maduro accused the United States of "seeking a regime change through military threats."
In response to the incident, the administration of President Donald Trump has ordered the deployment of 10 F-35 stealth jets to an airbase in Puerto Rico, with the aim of reinforcing the military campaign against narcoterrorist organizations operating in the southern Caribbean. The aircraft are expected to arrive in the area by the end of next week, according to official sources reported to the agency Reuters.
The USS Jason Dunham is part of a flotilla of at least seven U.S. warships deployed in the Caribbean, with over 4,500 Marines and sailors on board.
In parallel, troops from the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit have been conducting amphibious training and flight operations in southern Puerto Rico.
The tensions between Washington and Caracas have intensified in recent months, amid the White House's efforts to link Nicolás Maduro's regime to international drug trafficking. Trump has accused the Venezuelan leader of directly overseeing the criminal group Tren de Aragua, which was declared a terrorist organization by his government in February.
On Tuesday, a U.S. military attack in the Caribbean resulted in the deaths of 11 people and the sinking of a Venezuelan vessel, allegedly involved in drug trafficking.
The U.S. Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, defended the operation and stated that "the poisoning of the American people is over."
Frequently Asked Questions about the confrontation between the U.S. and Venezuela in the Caribbean
Why did Venezuelan fighter jets fly over the U.S. destroyer USS Jason Dunham?
Venezuelan fighters flew over the USS Jason Dunham destroyer as a provocative action, according to the Pentagon, in order to interfere with the anti-drug and anti-terrorism operations being conducted by the United States Navy in the Caribbean. These types of maneuvers increase tensions between the two countries in a context of mutual accusations related to drug trafficking and security in the region.
What has been the response of the U.S. to Venezuela's actions in the Caribbean?
The U.S. has responded to the flyover of Venezuelan fighter jets by sending 10 stealth F-35 aircraft to Puerto Rico, as part of an effort to bolster its military campaign against narcoterrorist organizations in the Caribbean. Additionally, the deployment of a significant naval fleet in the region underscores Washington's commitment to combating drug trafficking and putting pressure on Nicolás Maduro's government.
How has Nicolás Maduro's government reacted to the actions of the U.S.?
The government of Nicolás Maduro has labeled the actions of the U.S. as a military and political threat, accusing Washington of attempting a regime change through military pressure. In response, Maduro has mobilized militia members and maintained a discourse on defending national sovereignty, while denying accusations of being linked to drug trafficking.
What role does the "Cartel de los Soles" play in the conflict between the U.S. and Venezuela?
The "Cartel of the Suns" is labeled by the United States as a narcoterrorist organization under the control of Nicolás Maduro, which has been a central point in the tensions. Washington accuses the cartel of trafficking cocaine to the U.S. and Europe, using its influence in the Venezuelan government, which, they claim, justifies the military deployment in the Caribbean to combat these illicit operations.
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