U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) officials reported that two armed Venezuelan fighter jets confronted a U.S. Navy warship in international waters. The Pentagon called the show of force “highly provocative.”
The officials claimed the jets flew directly over the U.S.S. John Dunham, a guided-missile destroyer taking part in counter-narco-terror operations.
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In a statement on X, the Pentagon called the maneuver “an attempt to interfere with our mission” and warned Venezuelan cartels not to interfere with its efforts.
“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 statement read.
Tensions in Venezuela
The move comes as tensions with Caracas escalate.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has since ordered drones and warships to patrol the coast, calling U.S. ships “the biggest threat our continent has seen in a hundred years.” He also warned Venezuela was “super prepared” to respond to any attacks.
The Trump administration stated that the Navy’s role is to stop cartels from transporting fentanyl and cocaine into the U.S.
Earlier this week, the U.S. military announced it sank a Venezuelan cartel drug boat, killing eleven suspected members of the Tren de Aragua gang. It’s a gang that the Trump administration has designated a foreign terrorist organization.
After the attack on the ship, Trump claimed the gang and the boat operated under Maduro’s control.
