Venezuelan Military Jets Approach US Navy Ship Amid Anti-Drug Operations and Vessel Strike in Caribbean
Earlier, on September 2, 2025, US forces sank a boat associated with the Tren de Aragua cartel, killing 11 members aboard.
CARIBBEAN — The United States deployed naval assets to the southern Caribbean on August 19, 2025, to conduct operations against drug cartels, involving three destroyers, the guided missile cruiser USS Lake Erie, the nuclear submarine USS Newport News, and about 4,500 military personnel. This move targets networks linked to Venezuelan leadership, designated as terrorist organizations.
On September 4, 2025, two Venezuelan F-16 jets flew near the USS Jason Dunham in international waters, viewed as an attempt to obstruct counter-narcotics efforts. Earlier, on September 2, 2025, US forces sank a boat associated with the Tren de Aragua cartel, killing 11 members aboard.
The deployment focuses on interdiction in international waters, with vessels positioned off Venezuela's shores to seize narcotics shipments. Accusations point to the Cartel de los Soles, allegedly involving Venezuelan officials in trafficking.
Operations have included boarding actions and surveillance, aiming to dismantle supply routes feeding into the US market. Regional partners support these efforts under international maritime laws.
Naval Deployment Details
US Southern Command oversees the mission, emphasizing the disruption of transnational crime. The USS Lake Erie carries Aegis systems for missile defense, while the USS Newport News enables stealth operations.
Destroyers like USS Jason Dunham provide firepower and helicopter support for boardings. Forces total around 4,500, including specialized teams for high-seas interdictions.
This buildup follows executive designations of cartels as terrorists, granting expanded authorities. Seizures have netted tons of cocaine in recent months, with Venezuela denying complicity. Deployments avoid territorial waters, complying with sovereignty norms while pressuring criminal networks.
Aerial Incident Analysis
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