The U.S. Department of Defense has issued a condemnation after two F-16 fighter jets from Venezuela's National Bolivarian Armed Forces (FANB) flew over the USS Jason Dunham while it was navigating international waters in the Caribbean Sea. The Pentagon described the incident as a "highly provocative action" aimed at disrupting the ongoing anti-drug and anti-terrorism operations conducted by the U.S. Navy in the area.
The Pentagon's statement, shared on its official X account (formerly Twitter), strongly advised the leadership in Venezuela to refrain from any further attempts to obstruct or interfere with U.S. military operations targeting narcotics and terrorism. Meanwhile, the regime of Nicolás Maduro has dismissed Washington's warnings, claiming that it does not fear U.S. threats.
A video released by the FANB on social media showed the Venezuelan F-16 jets flying at low altitude over a warship, later identified as the USS Jason Dunham. In an unusual press conference in Caracas, Maduro accused the United States of attempting to instigate regime change through military threats.
In response to the incident, the Trump administration has ordered the deployment of 10 stealth F-35 aircraft to a Puerto Rican airbase to strengthen the military campaign against narco-terrorist organizations operating in the southern Caribbean. According to official sources reported by Reuters, these aircraft are expected to arrive in the region by the end of next week.
The USS Jason Dunham is part of a fleet of at least seven U.S. warships stationed in the Caribbean, carrying over 4,500 Marines and sailors. Simultaneously, members of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit have been conducting amphibious training and flight operations in southern Puerto Rico.
Recent months have seen escalating tensions between Washington and Caracas, as the White House seeks to link Maduro's regime to international drug trafficking. President Donald Trump has accused Maduro of directly overseeing the criminal group Tren de Aragua, which his administration designated as a terrorist organization in February.
On Tuesday, a U.S. military strike in the Caribbean resulted in the death of 11 individuals and the sinking of a Venezuelan vessel allegedly involved in drug transport. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended the operation, asserting that "the poisoning of the American people is over."
U.S. and Venezuela: Rising Tensions in the Caribbean
Why did the Venezuelan jets fly over the USS Jason Dunham?
The flyover by Venezuelan jets was perceived by the Pentagon as a provocative action intended to disrupt U.S. anti-drug and anti-terrorism operations in the Caribbean.
What measures has the U.S. taken in response to the incident?
In response, the U.S. has deployed 10 stealth F-35 aircraft to Puerto Rico to bolster its military campaign against narco-terrorist organizations in the region.
What are the implications for U.S.-Venezuela relations?
The incident is likely to exacerbate the already heightened tensions between Washington and Caracas, particularly as the U.S. continues to link Maduro's government with international drug trafficking.