The US Department of Defense has said that two Venezuelan military aircraft flew close to a US Navy warship in international waters, calling it a “highly provocative move.” The Pentagon warned Venezuela not to interfere with US counter-narcotics and counter-terrorism operations in the region.
The incident happened in the southern Caribbean Sea, where two Venezuelan F-16 fighter jets reportedly flew over the USS Jason Dunham, a guided-missile destroyer. According to US officials, the warship did not respond or engage with the jets.
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This development comes just days after a US military strike destroyed a Venezuelan vessel in the Caribbean on Tuesday, killing 11 people on board. Former President Donald Trump claimed the boat was carrying illegal narcotics and linked it to a cartel that he labeled a “terrorist organization.” However, legal experts have questioned the legality of the strike, pointing out that such operations are usually handled by the US Coast Guard, not the military.
A video shared by Trump showed a speeding boat being hit by an airstrike. The administration has not provided evidence that the vessel posed an immediate threat, was armed, or carried individuals planning extremist attacks. Analysts argue that the strike could be seen globally as an extrajudicial killing, raising concerns over the use of military force in drug-related operations.
The Pentagon has urged Venezuela to avoid further attempts to challenge US operations, warning that any such moves would not be tolerated.
