Venezuela slams presence of US F-35 fighter planes spotted off coast
Key Takeaways
- Venezuela detected at least five US F-35 fighter jets near its coast, which it labeled an 'illegal incursion' and 'military harassment'.
- Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino condemned the action as a threat from 'US imperialism' that would not intimidate the Venezuelan people.
- Venezuelan authorities stated the planes were 75km from their shores, implying no violation of sovereign airspace, but accused the US of flouting international law.
- The incident occurs while the US is escalating actions against drug cartels, with President Trump notifying Congress of 'non-international armed conflict'.
- Venezuela views the increased US military presence, including warships and fighter jets, as a covert attempt by the US to bring about regime change.
Venezuela's government has vehemently criticized the sighting of at least five US F-35 fighter jets near its borders, with Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino labeling the event an 'illegal incursion' and 'military harassment' by 'US imperialism'. Padrino asserted that the presence of the planes near the Caribbean Sea was a 'vulgarity' and a threat to the nation's security, though the detected distance of 75km from the coast suggests no violation of sovereign airspace occurred. Venezuela's foreign and defence ministries accused the US of jeopardizing civil aviation and urged US Secretary of War Peter Hegseth to cease his 'warmongering posture'. This escalation follows recent US military deployments, including F-35s to Puerto Rico and the deployment of warships, linked to President Trump's declaration of 'non-international armed conflict' against drug cartels. Venezuelan officials view these US maneuvers, which have already resulted in deadly attacks on boats off their coast, as a covert operation aimed at regime change.
