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Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil showing a picture of a fishing boat during a press conference in Caracas on Sept 13. Photo: @NABIL_KHALEK/X
Tensions Escalate Between Venezuela and the U.S. After Venezuelan Fishing Vessel Is Intercepted by U.S. Warship
VENEZUELA
Monday, September 15, 2025, 00:10 (GMT + 9)
Tensions between the United States and Venezuela have escalated after a Venezuelan tuna fishing vessel was intercepted and boarded by a U.S. warship in Venezuela's Special Economic Zone. The incident has drawn strong condemnation from Caracas, which has labeled the action a "direct provocation."
President Nicolas Maduro and the U.S. Navy destroyer, USS Jason Dunham (DDG-109)
CARACAS — In a statement on Saturday, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil stated that the "harmless" fishing vessel, crewed by nine "humble" fishermen, was subjected to an "illegal and hostile" occupation by the U.S. Navy destroyer, USS Jason Dunham (DDG-109). The Venezuelan Foreign Ministry reported that the warship, described as being "equipped with powerful cruise missiles and manned by highly specialized marines," deployed 18 armed agents to board and occupy the small vessel for eight hours on Friday.
The incident follows a U.S. military strike last week in the Caribbean that killed 11 Venezuelans and sank a boat. Washington claimed, without providing evidence, that the vessel was transporting narcotics. Venezuelan Minister of the Popular Power for Interior, Diosdado Cabello, rejected the claim, insisting that an investigation showed the victims were not drug traffickers. He condemned the U.S. action as "murder," stating, "They openly confessed to killing 11 people."
Photo taken from a video filmed from a Venezuelan tuna boat and the official letter of complaint from the local government
The U.S. military strike and the recent interception of the fishing vessel have further heightened friction between the two nations, which have been locked in a years-long standoff. Caracas has repeatedly accused Washington of aiming for "regime change" to topple the Maduro government. Washington has denied these accusations, but it has not hesitated to impose sanctions on Venezuela and offer large rewards for the capture of its leaders. Last month, the U.S. doubled its reward for information leading to the apprehension of President Nicolas Maduro, raising it to $50 million.
For his part, President Maduro has reiterated his nation's readiness to defend its sovereignty and has reinforced military presence at 284 "battlefront" locations across the country, particularly along the Colombian border.
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