Venezuela accused the United States of violating its sovereignty after personnel from a U.S. Navy destroyer boarded a Venezuelan tuna boat with nine fishermen in national waters, Foreign Minister Yván Gil said Saturday.
Gil told reporters that 18 armed U.S. sailors “illegally and hostilely” remained aboard the vessel for eight hours, blocking communication and normal activity, before Venezuelan naval forces escorted the boat to safety. Photos and video allegedly taken by the fishermen were released by Venezuela’s foreign ministry, showing parts of the fishing boat, U.S. personnel, and the warship.
“Those who give the order to carry out such provocations are seeking an incident that would justify a military escalation in the Caribbean,” Gil warned, vowing to defend Venezuelan sovereignty. The U.S. has not commented on the allegation.
The incident comes weeks after Donald Trump ordered additional warships to the Caribbean, citing counternarcotics operations. Earlier this month, Trump claimed U.S. forces destroyed a drug-laden boat linked to Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua gang, killing 11 people. Caracas disputed the account, calling it an extrajudicial killing and alleging the victims were civilians.
The Trump administration has escalated pressure on President Nicolás Maduro, doubling its reward for his capture to $50 million and accusing him of leading a drug cartel. Venezuela, meanwhile, has called on citizens to enlist in militias and undergo training in case of a U.S. incursion, though Washington has not signaled plans for a ground operation.
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