US Destroyer Attacks Venezuelan Fishing Boat + Video
According to the English section of webangah News Agency, citing the Associated press, amid rising tensions between Venezuela and the United States following the deployment of U.S. warships near Caracas waters, personnel from one American warship boarded a Venezuelan fishing boat.
The Associated Press reported that the White House did not respond to requests for comment on this incident.
Tensions have escalated since August when then-President Donald Trump ordered naval vessels to deploy in the Caribbean Sea and off Venezuela’s coast, citing efforts to combat drug cartels.
Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil Pinto stated in a release that “U.S. Navy destroyer personnel illegally and aggressively boarded a Venezuelan fishing vessel, detaining 18 armed personnel who remained on board for eight hours, preventing interaction and normal fishing activities. They were eventually released under escort by the Venezuelan Navy.”
Gil added that the fishing boat was operating with authorization from venezuela’s Ministry of Fisheries. At the time of this statement, Venezuela’s Foreign Ministry also released footage showing fishermen aboard their vessel with parts of the American warship visible in the background.
The foreign minister accused Washington of pursuing a failed policy aimed at regime change in Venezuela. He warned that those ordering such provocative actions are seeking an incident to escalate military tensions in the Caribbean.
He described this event as “illegal” and “unlawful,” cautioning that Venezuela will defend its sovereignty against any form of provocation.
This statement follows comments by Trump claiming his administration attacked a drug-smuggling vessel killing 11 individuals. trump alleged this ship was transporting members of the “Tren de Aragua” gang from Venezuela but offered no evidence supporting these claims.
The Trump administration has also accused Venezuelan President nicolás Maduro of leading a drug cartel responsible for trafficking narcotics into U.S. territory and increased his capture reward from $25 million to $50 million.
