In what stands as a new display of U.S. military presence in the Caribbean, open-source intelligence (OSINT) sources have detected that at least two U.S. Air Force B-52 strategic bombers have been deployed to the region in a series of unprecedented flights, highlighting rising tensions with Venezuela. According to initial reports, the aircraft flew over the Gulf of Mexico, passed through the Yucatán Channel separating Mexico and Cuba, and were later visible north of the Venezuelan coast, maintaining a holding pattern for more than an hour.
Expanding on the few known details, it is worth noting that the bombers approached the islands of Gran Roque and La Orchila, a small archipelago where Venezuela currently maintains military installations, located about 160 kilometers from the capital, Caracas. Over this airspace, the bombers executed a peculiar radar-tracked flight path that quickly drew not only alarm in Venezuela but also amusement among analysts and internet users due to the shape traced on the map.
Although there have been no official statements so far, initial reactions seem to converge on the idea that this was a message to Nicolás Maduro’s regime regarding the strategic projection capabilities of U.S. Southern Command in the region, especially considering the wide range of weapons these bombers can carry. On the other hand, U.S. military sources stated that the flight was part of long-range deterrence training missions, adding that such flights are routinely conducted from Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana.
Nevertheless, the news comes amid growing controversy over frequent U.S. attacks on vessels in the Caribbean accused of being linked to drug trafficking cartels, under the White House’s newly declared war on these groups, now designated as terrorist organizations. Considering that the issue lies on a fine line between security and defense matters, with a legally fragile framework for such operations, the deployments have drawn various criticisms from the field of international law.
Furthermore, both China and Russia have voiced opposition to the U.S. policy briefly outlined above, stating that these operations have a strongly negative impact on a region normally distant from military conflicts. Specifically, Beijing described these missions as “unilateral and excessive” in combating civilian vessels, while Moscow referred to them as blatant violations of international law; both positions were voiced within the framework of the United Nations.
Images used for illustrative purposes.
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China needs to STFU! They’ve been bullying Southeast Asian countries’ fishing vessels with watercannons and ramming them as well.
I’m from Briton and I’m worried that our country is going to get worse because we have got alot of polish people in our towns and it seems like they own our towns what the hell is going on it never used to be like this let them go back to there country we want the war to end trump and our prime minister do.nt help hes making these worse
Please help our country
Imagine China and Russia accusing anyone else of blatant violations of international law… lol
While all along China proceed to use there Chinese coastguard ships to harass the Philippines and Philippine fisherman in Philippine waters….total hypocrisy!!!!!