Venezuela Accuses U.S. Destroyer of Hostile Provocation in Caribbean Waters

The Venezuelan government has condemned what it describes as a hostile and disproportionate action by the United States Navy against a group of Venezuelan fishermen.

According to an official statement, on Friday, September 12, the Venezuelan vessel Carmen Rosa, carrying nine tuna fishermen, was intercepted 48 nautical miles northeast of La Blanquilla Island, within Venezuela’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The communiqué alleges that the U.S. Navy destroyer USS Jason Dunham (DDG-109), armed with cruise missiles, deployed 18 heavily armed troops who boarded and occupied the small fishing boat for eight hours.

Venezuelan authorities argue the fishermen were conducting legal and authorized fishing activities and that the use of such extensive military force constituted a “direct provocation” and a breach of sovereignty. The government claims the action was intended to create conditions for escalating conflict in the Caribbean.

“This incident reflects the irresponsible behavior of certain political sectors in Washington who misuse costly military resources to fabricate pretexts for war,” the statement read, comparing the episode to past U.S. interventions such as Vietnam.

The Bolivarian National Armed Forces reported that they monitored the situation in real time with air and naval surveillance, ensuring the fishermen’s safety until their release. Venezuelan officials stressed their commitment to peace while warning that the nation is prepared to defend its sovereignty and waters against any future aggression.

The communiqué called on the United States to immediately halt such maneuvers and urged the American public to reject what it described as the exploitation of U.S. soldiers as “sacrificial pawns” for the interests of a “predatory elite.”