Venezuela has accused the United States of illegally flying F-35 fighter jets near its borders, asserting that the maneuver constitutes a provocation that threatens national sovereignty and breaches international law. The incident took place approximately 75 kilometers off the coast near Maiquetia, with the nation’s defense minister reporting the sight of at least five jets flying at high speed and altitude.
Foreign Minister Yvan Gil Pinto denounced the maneuvers as a provocation that threatens national sovereignty and violates international law, while Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez confirmed the deployment of F-35s in the area for the first time. The situation has been further complicated by the U.S. military’s recent deployment of a naval armada and allegations of Venezuela’s collaboration with cartels, leading to heightened regional tensions.
Last month, tensions escalated when the United States struck four Venezuelan boats in international waters, which were carrying suspected drug traffickers. This incident has increased tensions between the two nations, with the U.S. President Donald Trump accusing Caracas of working with ‘narco-terrorist’ cartels to target the U.S. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro rejected the allegations and vowed to defend his country against any attack.
The situation has also been complicated by internal U.S. political dynamics, as the New York Times reported that top aides have been urging Trump to remove Maduro from power. Although Trump has denied planning regime change, he has imposed sweeping sanctions on Venezuela during his first term in office.