Tensions between Washington and Caracas escalated on September 5, after the Pentagon said two Venezuelan aircraft approached a US Navy vessel operating in international waters—an encounter it described as “highly provocative.” The episode comes days after a deadly US strike on a suspected drug-smuggling boat and amid a broader US naval buildup in the Caribbean.

A Close Pass In International Waters

The Defense Department said “two Maduro regime military aircraft flew near a US Navy vessel in international waters,” adding that the “cartel running Venezuela is strongly advised not to pursue any further effort to obstruct, deter or interfere” with US counter-narcotics and counter-terror operations. The destroyer involved was identified by US officials as the USS Jason Dunham; the ship did not engage the aircraft, according to US briefings.

Caracas Mobilises As US Presence Grows

The encounter follows a rapid US naval deployment to the region—including multiple guided-missile destroyers and a nuclear-powered attack submarine—framed by Washington as a push against organised crime at sea. In response, Venezuelan authorities highlighted the activation and training of the National Militia across the country, presenting it as a nationwide defensive readiness measure.

After The Boat Strike, Questions Mount

Two days earlier, US forces destroyed an alleged drug-running vessel near Venezuela, with the US president saying 11 linked to a criminal organisation were killed. Critics in Washington questioned the legal basis for the strike, noting the absence of clear evidence of an imminent threat and debating whether existing authorities cover such operations at sea. “The grounds for the strike are a murky legal issue,” legal experts said as Congress pressed the White House for answers.

What Officials Are Saying

US defense officials characterised the fly-over as a “show of force” and warned of escalation risks if Venezuelan aircraft continue to approach US vessels at sea. In recent remarks, Venezuela’s leadership said the country seeks peace but is ready to defend “territorial integrity,” with the head of state earlier vowing to declare “a republic in arms” if attacked.

Regional and Legal Stakes

Beyond the immediate standoff, the episode underscores a broader shift in US security posture in the Southern Caribbean and raises questions about thresholds for the use of force against non-state actors at sea. Analysts note that miscalculation risks are elevated when close air-sea encounters occur alongside politically sensitive missions and contested legal justifications. US lawmakers are now weighing how far executive authority should extend in maritime operations linked to organised crime.