The Cuban Foreign Minister, Bruno Rodríguez, denounced this Sunday on his X account an “illegal assault” by United States military forces against a Venezuelan fishing boat in the waters of Venezuela's Exclusive Economic Zone.
The diplomat described the act as a "clear violation of International Law" and a "dangerous provocation that threatens the peace of Latin America and the Caribbean."
The complaint coincides with a climate of increasing tension in the Caribbean, marked by the deployment of American warplanes and ships off the coast of Venezuela, and the military response from Caracas.
According to a report by Euronews, the Venezuelan government claimed that an American destroyer intercepted and occupied a fishing vessel with nine crew members for eight hours, describing it as an operation carried out by 18 armed personnel against "nine humble fishermen."
The chancellor Yván Gil, cited by state television, denounced that it was an attempt to justify "a military escalation" in the region.
For its part, Noticias Caracol from Colombia specified that the vessel was sailing 48 miles from the island of La Blanquilla when it was intercepted by the USS Jason Dunham, a destroyer equipped with cruise missiles.
The Venezuelan Foreign Ministry described the action as "a direct provocation" in the context of the operations carried out by the government of Donald Trump against drug trafficking.
Military escalation in the Caribbean
The denunciation from Caracas and Havana comes at the same time as five F-35 fighter jets from the U.S. landed in Puerto Rico, according to Euronews, as part of a military deployment ordered by Trump in the region. The arrival of the jets sparked protests on the island against the increasing militarization.
In response, the government of Nicolás Maduro ordered military maneuvers in 312 barracks and units across the country, mobilizing thousands of militias under the so-called Plan Independencia 200, with a message of “prolonged active resistance” against the “threats” from Washington.
Background of the crisis
Tension has been rising since last week when a U.S. military operation against another Venezuelan vessel accused of drug trafficking resulted in 11 deaths near Trinidad and Tobago.
The U.S. Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, recently visited the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima, from where he directed maneuvers in the Caribbean. During that visit, Hegseth warned that operations against drug trafficking “are not a training exercise,” while Venezuelan fighter jets flew over the destroyer USS Jason Dunham, in an incident that the Pentagon labeled as “playing with fire.”
Frequently asked questions about tensions in the Caribbean and the conflict between the U.S. and Venezuela
What incident did Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez report regarding Venezuelan fishermen?
Bruno Rodríguez denounced an "illegal assault" by United States military forces against a Venezuelan fishing boat in the waters of Venezuela's Exclusive Economic Zone, describing it as a violation of International Law and a provocation that threatens peace in Latin America and the Caribbean.
What is Venezuela's response to the military actions of the United States in the Caribbean?
Venezuela has ordered military maneuvers in 312 barracks and units across the country, mobilizing thousands of militiamen under Plan Independence 200. Additionally, the Venezuelan government condemned these actions as attempts of military escalation by the U.S.
What actions has the United States taken in the Caribbean that have increased tensions with Venezuela and Cuba?
The United States has deployed warships and aircraft in the Caribbean as part of its strategy against drug trafficking, according to the U.S. government. However, both Venezuela and Cuba denounce these actions as acts of pressure and intimidation.
What is Cuba's position on the conflict between the United States and Venezuela?
Cuba, through its Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez, has expressed unwavering support for Venezuela and denounces the presence of U.S. military forces as a threat to regional peace and an attempt at imperialist domination.
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