As part of the operation carried out by the United States Armed Forces in the Caribbean region, it was officially confirmed that two combat aircraft from the Bolivarian Military Aviation of Venezuela flew near a U.S. Navy destroyer. The incident, officially confirmed by the Department of Defense on its official X account, reportedly involved two Venezuelan F-16 fighters and, according to U.S. media, the USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109).
In recent weeks, as part of a strategy to combat drug trafficking cartels undertaken by the White House, U.S. Navy assets and personnel have been deployed, including destroyers and guided-missile cruisers, amphibious assault ships, and even the presence of a nuclear-powered attack submarine, all stationed in the region.
The presence of high-profile combat military assets has generated significant tensions between Caracas and Washington, which reached a new level following a recent U.S. military attack on a “narco” speedboat on September 2, during which former President Donald Trump stated that “Let this serve as a warning to anyone attempting to bring drugs into the United States.”
Against this backdrop, and less than 48 hours after this incident, local media reported that Venezuelan military aircraft conducted a flight near one of the destroyers deployed by Washington in the region, with the maneuver taking place in international airspace, as officially confirmed by the Department of Defense.
Regarding this, the Department stated: “Today, two military aircraft of the Maduro regime flew near a U.S. Navy vessel in international waters. This highly provocative action was designed to interfere with our counter-narcoterrorism operations. The cartel controlling Venezuela is firmly warned not to attempt any further efforts to obstruct, deter, or interfere with counter-narcotics and counter-terrorism operations conducted by U.S. military forces.”
As noted, the aircraft involved were reportedly two F-16 fighters, paradoxically of U.S. origin and acquired by Venezuela decades ago. Despite their age and the embargoes imposed on the country regarding the acquisition of military equipment, the Bolivarian Military Aviation makes great efforts to keep them operational, both to guard Venezuelan airspace and to carry out attack missions.
This is evidenced by various incidents throughout 2024, in which the F-16s participated in airspace security operations, including intercepting illegal aircraft and attacking clandestine airstrips. They were also used in different types of exercises, such as those conducted at the beginning of last year, which involved the launch of weapons including AIM-9L Sidewinder air-to-air missiles and Rafael Python 4 missiles.
Meanwhile, the USS Jason Dunham (DDG-109) is one of three Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers – the others being the USS Gravely (DDG-107) and USS Sampson (DDG-102) – deployed in the Caribbean to support counter-narcotics operations.
In addition to these ships, the U.S. naval presence in the region is complemented by an Amphibious Group led by the USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7), along with the USS San Antonio (LPD-17) and USS Fort Lauderdale (LPD-28), totaling 4,500 personnel, including over 2,000 Marines, recently reinforced by the guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Erie (CG-70) and the nuclear-powered attack submarine USS Newport News (SSN-750), of the Los Angeles class.
*Cover photographs are used for illustrative purposes.
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