Venezuela Accuses US of Boarding Fishing Vessel in Territorial Waters

Diplomatic Crisis Escalates in Caribbean Waters

Venezuela has leveled serious accusations against the United States, claiming that American naval forces illegally boarded a Venezuelan tuna fishing vessel within the country's territorial waters. According to the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry, the incident involved a US torpedo destroyer whose crew occupied the fishing boat for eight hours.

Details of the Alleged Incident

The Venezuelan government states that the fishing vessel was "harmless" and carried "nine modest fishermen" who were conducting routine operations. The US government has not yet responded to these allegations, creating a tense diplomatic silence following the accusations.

"This represents a blatant violation of international maritime law and Venezuelan sovereignty," stated a Venezuelan foreign ministry official who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the situation.

Escalating Regional Tensions

This incident occurs against a backdrop of heightened tensions in the Caribbean region. Earlier this month, eleven people were killed when US forces attacked a motorboat from Venezuela that President Trump claimed was "loaded with drugs." No evidence was provided to support this claim at the time.

The previous attack was reportedly targeted against the Tren de Aragua drug cartel, which the US has designated as a terrorist organization. President Trump asserted that the group operates under the control of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and is responsible for drug trafficking and murders, including within the United States.

Military Buildup Continues

Following the destruction of the alleged drug boat, the US announced it was deploying ten combat aircraft to Puerto Rico to combat drug cartels. F-35 fighter jets are expected to conduct targeted operations against several terrorist drug cartels in the southern Caribbean, potentially further escalating regional tensions.

This latest incident represents the most direct confrontation between US and Venezuelan forces in recent months and threatens to further destabilize diplomatic relations between the two nations.