US Navy Ship Harassed by Venezuelan Military Aircraft During Counter-Drug Operations
A recent incident involving two Venezuelan military aircraft flying over a US Navy ship conducting counter-drug operations has raised tensions between the two countries. The Department of Defense described the maneuver as “highly provocative,” following a US attack on a drug smuggling boat in the Caribbean Sea that resulted in the death of 11 narco-terrorists.
Provocative Move by Maduro Regime
The Pentagon issued a statement condemning the actions of the Venezuelan military aircraft, stating that it was a deliberate attempt to interfere with US counter narco-terror operations. The move was seen as a direct challenge to US military presence in international waters.
The Pentagon warned the Maduro regime against further attempts to obstruct or interfere with US military operations in the region, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation.
Armed Fighter Jets Involved
According to reports, the Venezuelan military aircraft involved in the incident were armed F-16 fighter jets, further escalating tensions between the two countries. The USS Jason Dunham, an Aegis guided-missile destroyer, was the target of the harassment by the Venezuelan military.
The Navy had deployed a total of eight ships, including guided-missile destroyers, to the region last month as part of efforts to combat drug smuggling activities.
Designation of Venezuelan Crime Syndicates as Terrorist Organizations
Earlier this year, the Trump administration designated Venezuelan crime syndicates Tren de Aragua and Cartel de Los Soles as foreign terrorist organizations, highlighting the transnational threat posed by these groups.
The US has been actively targeting these criminal organizations involved in drug trafficking, with a focus on disrupting their operations and dismantling their networks.
Escalating Tensions and Accusations
The Trump administration has accused Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro of colluding with drug cartels to traffic narcotics, including deadly fentanyl, into the US. This has led to increased pressure on the Maduro regime, with the Justice Department offering a $50 million bounty on Maduro’s head.
Attorney General Pam Bondi labeled Maduro as one of the largest narco traffickers in the world and a significant threat to national security.
Maduro, on the other hand, has portrayed the US naval buildup in the Caribbean as a direct threat to his regime, accusing the US of seeking to destabilize Venezuela and orchestrate regime change.
The situation remains tense as both countries navigate through heightened tensions in the region.
