On Sunday, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez took to X to denounce what he described as an "illegal assault" by U.S. military forces on a Venezuelan fishing vessel within Venezuela's Exclusive Economic Zone. Rodríguez labeled the incident as a "blatant violation of International Law" and a "dangerous provocation that threatens peace in Latin America and the Caribbean."
This claim emerges amidst escalating tensions in the Caribbean, characterized by the presence of U.S. aircraft and warships off Venezuela's coast, and Caracas's subsequent military response. According to reports from Euronews, the Venezuelan government stated that a U.S. destroyer intercepted and detained a fishing boat with nine crew members for eight hours, describing the operation as conducted by 18 armed personnel against "nine humble fishermen."
Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil, as reported by state television, accused the U.S. of attempting to justify a "military escalation" in the region. Meanwhile, Colombia's Noticias Caracol noted that the vessel was 48 miles from La Blanquilla Island when it was intercepted by the USS Jason Dunham, a destroyer equipped with cruise missiles.
Military Buildup in the Caribbean
The complaints from both Caracas and Havana coincide with the arrival of five U.S. F-35 fighter jets in Puerto Rico, as reported by Euronews, marking part of a military deployment ordered by then-President Trump in the region. This deployment has sparked protests on the island against increasing militarization.
In retaliation, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro ordered military exercises across 312 garrisons and units, mobilizing thousands of militiamen under the Plan Independencia 200, with a call for "prolonged active resistance" against perceived threats from Washington.
Background to the Crisis
The situation has been intensifying since last week when a U.S. military operation against another Venezuelan vessel accused of drug trafficking resulted in 11 deaths near Trinidad and Tobago. U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth recently visited the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima to oversee maneuvers in the Caribbean. During his visit, Hegseth warned that anti-narcotics operations "are not a drill," while Venezuelan jets flew over the USS Jason Dunham, an act the Pentagon described as "playing with fire."
Understanding the Caribbean Tensions
What prompted the Cuban Foreign Minister's denunciation?
The denunciation was prompted by what the Cuban Foreign Minister called an "illegal assault" by U.S. military forces on a Venezuelan fishing vessel in Venezuela's Exclusive Economic Zone.
How did Venezuela respond to the U.S. military actions?
Venezuela responded by ordering military exercises across multiple garrisons and mobilizing thousands of militiamen under a plan for "prolonged active resistance" against U.S. actions.
What has been the U.S. stance on these military operations?
The U.S. has maintained that its operations are part of anti-narcotics efforts and not merely training exercises, emphasizing the seriousness of their actions in the region.