Venezuela denounces deployment of US fighter jets near its territory: ‘It’s a provocation’

Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López denounced on Thursday the presence of five U.S. fighter jets flying near Venezuelan territory, specifically north of the country’s central Caribbean coast. “It is a provocation, a major threat against the nation’s security,” the general declared.

This marks yet another episode of escalation amid rising tensions between the two countries since Washington launched an anti-drug campaign in the Caribbean and put Nicolás Maduro’s government — which the U.S. accuses of leading a criminal organization dedicated to drug trafficking — under its spotlight.

“Do not make the mistake of militarily attacking Venezuela. Think carefully, investigate thoroughly, and understand the national spirit,” the official warned. “Venezuela’s integrated air defense system detected more than five aircraft with flight characteristics of 400 knots and flying at an altitude of 35,000 feet within the Maiquetía region. What does that indicate? These are combat aircraft that U.S. imperialism has dared to bring close to Venezuelan shores.”

According to Padrino, an international airline reported the situation to the Maiquetía control tower, Venezuela’s main airport near Caracas. “We had never seen such a deployment of F-35 aircraft before. We are seeing them now, and I want you to know that this does not intimidate us. The presence of those planes flying near our area of influence is an insult, a provocation, a threat to the nation’s security,” he added.

In response to this latest maneuver, the Defense Minister — one of Maduro’s closest allies — announced that Venezuela will activate a “national mobilization” in the event of being “attacked” by the United States. Just days ago, the Venezuelan government approved a measure expanding the president’s powers through a decree of “external commotion,” which authorizes authorities to take military control of public services and strategic institutions, as well as enabling the closure of borders. Padrino said in a televised address that the decree seeks to “protect the economic interests, production, life, and health” of citizens. “That is what states of exception are for in revolution — never, ever against the revolution,” he concluded.

On the same Thursday, news broke of Trump’s decision to formalize the United States’ war against drug cartels. According to a White House memorandum notified to Congress and leaked to the press, the Republican magnate classified members of criminal organizations linked to drug trafficking as “unlawful combatants.” Last August, the U.S. Department of Justice issued an arrest warrant for Maduro, placing him at the head of the so-called Cartel of the Suns.

This latest move came after U.S. forces sank three boats allegedly loaded with drugs in Caribbean waters near Venezuela’s coasts. These attacks, which left several people dead, were announced by Trump himself on social media and have pushed bilateral tensions to levels not seen since 2019, when the White House supported opposition leader Juan Guaidó.

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