In a decisive move, President Donald Trump has given the green light to U.S. military forces to shoot down Venezuelan aircraft if they pose a threat to American ships stationed in the Caribbean. This bold directive was announced during a White House press briefing following reports of air harassment attributed to Venezuelan-flagged planes.
Addressing the Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, Trump stated, "General, should they attempt this again, you're free to take whatever action deemed necessary. If our units are endangered, captains, you have the authority to decide the appropriate course of action." While Trump did not specify the proximity of the Venezuelan aircraft to the USS Jason Dunham, a U.S. destroyer, he was clear in his mandate: "If they engage in dangerous actions, we will bring them down."
This directive underscores Trump's ongoing confrontational stance against Nicolás Maduro's regime and its activities in the region. The order comes amidst escalating tensions in the Caribbean, where the U.S. continues military operations to enhance maritime control and curb drug trafficking. Meanwhile, Caracas has repeatedly condemned U.S. incursions as provocative acts.
By issuing this statement, the Trump administration intensifies its rhetoric against Venezuela, increasing the potential for direct military clashes between the two nations. On Friday, the U.S. Department of Defense reported that two F-16 fighter jets from Venezuela's National Bolivarian Armed Forces (FANB) flew over the USS Jason Dunham while it was in international waters in the Caribbean Sea. The Pentagon labeled the maneuver as a "highly provocative action," intended to disrupt U.S. Navy operations targeting narcotics and terrorism in the area.
The Maduro government, for its part, has dismissed Washington's threats. A video shared by the Venezuelan National Bolivarian Armed Forces on social media showed their F-16 jets flying low over a warship, later identified as the USS Jason Dunham.
U.S.-Venezuela Tensions in the Caribbean
Why did President Trump authorize the military to shoot down Venezuelan planes?
President Trump authorized this action in response to incidents of Venezuelan aircraft harassing U.S. naval vessels in the Caribbean, posing a threat to American military operations in the region.
What was the response from the Venezuelan government?
The Venezuelan government has dismissed the threats from the United States, with the National Bolivarian Armed Forces releasing footage of their aircraft flying over a U.S. warship as a show of defiance.
How has the Pentagon described the Venezuelan maneuvers?
The Pentagon has characterized the actions of the Venezuelan fighter jets as "highly provocative," aimed at interfering with U.S. Navy operations focused on narcotics and counter-terrorism in the Caribbean.