Venezuela accuses US navy of boarding and searching fishing vessel

The Venezuelan government has accused US military personnel of boarding and searching a Venezuelan fishing vessel within its exclusive economic zone.

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil stated that on 13/9, a team of 18 heavily armed US military personnel boarded a Venezuelan tuna fishing vessel carrying 9 fishermen within Venezuela's exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The fishermen were reportedly detained for 8 hours and prohibited from communicating.

At a press conference in Caracas, Mr. Gil presented photos and videos recorded by the fishermen, showing US soldiers on the fishing boat and a nearby US destroyer.

He accused the US of seeking to "provoke and justify military escalation in the Caribbean" and affirmed that Venezuela would defend its sovereignty against any unlawful and unreasonable actions.

The Venezuelan Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the US operation disrupted the strategic balance in the region, constituted an abuse of military power, and threatened security and peace.

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil holds a press conference on 13/9, releasing images of the fishing vessel intercepted by the US Navy. Photo: AFP

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil holds a press conference on 13/9, releasing images of the fishing vessel intercepted by the US Navy. Photo: AFP

A US official told ABC that a US Coast Guard patrol team, deployed on the destroyer USS Jason Dunham, was ordered to search the fishing vessel for drugs based on intelligence, but ultimately found nothing.

US officials also asserted that the vessel was in international waters and denied the allegation that they held the fishermen for 8 hours.

The destroyer USS Jason Dunham in Puerto Rico on 6/9. Photo: Reuters

The destroyer USS Jason Dunham in Puerto Rico on 6/9. Photo: Reuters

This incident occurred less than two weeks after the US announced it had intercepted and destroyed a "drug boat" originating from Venezuela. Washington claimed the vessel carried 11 members of the Tren de Aragua gang.

Caracas rejected the US claim, calling the attack an "extrajudicial killing" and suggesting the deceased might have been civilians.

The US has deployed over 4,000 troops and increased its military presence in the Caribbean, ostensibly to combat drug trafficking gangs. However, Caracas has criticized these actions as provocative attempts to pressure and "change the regime" in Venezuela.