The Government of Nicolás Maduro accused Washington of harassing nine fishermen in waters from its exclusive economic zone. The episode again tightens the bilateral relationship in a context of growing US military presence in the region.
The government of Venezuela denounced this Saturday that a United States Navy Destroyer intercepted in a way “illegal and hostile” to a fishing boat that sailed in the waters of the Exclusive Economic Zone (ZEE) of the Caribbean country.
According to the Venezuelan Chancellor, Yván Gilthe ship Carmen Rosawith nine crew on board, it was approached at the height of The Blanquillaabout 48 nautical miles from the island. The operation was executed by the USS Jason Dunham (DDG-109)equipped with cruise missiles and Marines staff.
“We demand from the United States government to immediately cease these actions that put the peace and security of the Caribbean at risk,” Gil said through Telegram. The official described the fact as an act of “intimidation” and accused Washington sectors of carrying out a “embarrassing behavior” that compromises high -cost military resources against Venezuela.
The Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB) He informed that he detected the operation with his own aerial and naval means and escorted fishermen until his release.
Climbing in the Caribbean
The incident occurs in a context of growing friction between Caracas and Washington. The past August 19the White House confirmed the deployment of three ships and 4,000 soldiers In the Caribbean waters, near Venezuela, under the argument of strengthening the fight against drug trafficking.
The government of Nicolás Maduro He responded with the reinforcement of the borders and the mobilization of militiamen, while denounced that the US strategy is a “dirty propaganda operation” aimed at justifying new military incursions in the region.
Source: Ambito
