The US Department of Defense reported that two Venezuelan military aircraft flew close to a US Navy vessel in international waters. The Pentagon described the incident as a “highly provocative move” aimed at interfering with US counter-narcotics and counter-terrorism operations.
The Navy ship involved was the USS Jason Dunham, a guided-missile destroyer operating in the southern Caribbean Sea. According to a US defense official, the warship did not engage the Venezuelan jets.
This event comes days after a US military operation killed 11 people aboard a Venezuelan vessel in the Caribbean. President Donald Trump said the boat was carrying illegal narcotics and belonged to a drug cartel he had labeled a “terrorist organization.” Legal experts have questioned the attack, noting the absence of evidence showing an imminent threat.
The Pentagon issued a statement advising Venezuela not to take further actions that could obstruct or interfere with US military operations. The Defense Department did not provide additional details about the warning.
The attack on the Venezuelan vessel marked an unusual step in the use of military force. Normally, intercepting narcotics shipments falls under the responsibility of the US Coast Guard. Experts noted that if the Coast Guard had been fired upon, its members would have the right to defend themselves.
President Trump shared a video on social media showing a vessel being destroyed by an airstrike. The administration has not provided evidence that the ship posed an immediate threat or that the people aboard were linked to extremist attacks. Many legal analysts argue that those on the vessel could be considered civilians, and the operation may be viewed as an extrajudicial killing.
The Pentagon’s warning highlights rising tensions between the US and Venezuela. Officials stress that the US will continue counter-narcotics and counter-terror operations in the Caribbean region while monitoring Venezuela’s actions closely.
In other related news also read Trump Vows Further Strikes As US Targets Venezuela Drug Cartels
