U.S. Counter-Narcotics Ops Intensify, Navy Intercepts Venezuelan Vessel [WATCH]

Tensions between the United States and Venezuela escalated this month as U.S. military operations in the Caribbean coincided with sharp rhetoric from Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

On September 1, U.S. forces conducted an airstrike against what was described as a Venezuelan drug boat.

Drone footage of an American strike on a Venezuelan Cartel illegally approaching the United States

Say what you want about President Trump but he knows how to deal with small boats that shouldn’t be here 🫡 pic.twitter.com/GP1LDZHxRU

— Basil the Great (@Basil_TGMD) September 3, 2025

Less than two weeks later, on Friday, September 12, U.S. Navy personnel boarded a Venezuelan fishing vessel in the Caribbean during a counter-narcotics operation.

The vessel was intercepted by marines from the destroyer USS Jason Dunham.

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According to U.S. officials, the vessel was suspected of being involved in drug trafficking, though no narcotics were found during the search.

The operation was carried out by U.S. Coast Guard personnel stationed aboard the Navy destroyer.

Venezuela condemned the action, calling it a violation of sovereignty.

In a statement released by the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry on Saturday, the government claimed, “The U.S. Navy deployed eighteen personnel with long-range weapons who boarded and occupied the Venezuelan fishing vessel in waters within Venezuela’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). This operation lacks any strategic proportionality and constitutes a direct provocation through the illegal use of excessive military means.”

⚡️ US troops seen SEIZING Venezuelan fishing boat in exclusive economic zone — FIRST visuals

Their craft pulls alongside as they approach the fishermen

American warship USS Jason Dunham visible in background https://t.co/4f5Z9KfGpL pic.twitter.com/qFzoDlDWrE

— RT (@RT_com) September 13, 2025

ABC News reported that a U.S. official with knowledge of the incident confirmed the Jason Dunham had received a tip that the small craft could be carrying drugs.

The official said the boarding was conducted in line with ongoing U.S. counter-narcotics efforts in the region.

The operation followed earlier U.S. military activity in the Caribbean, where an airstrike destroyed a vessel allegedly tied to drug trafficking networks on September 1.

Meanwhile, the Pentagon has moved additional assets into the region.

Stealth F-35 fighter jets were seen flying over Florida on their way to Puerto Rico, where they are expected to provide support for counter-narcotics operations targeting cartels operating in and around the Caribbean.

Maduro has responded with daily speeches, accusing the U.S. of preparing for an invasion and attempting to mobilize Venezuela’s armed forces.

He has described the operations as acts of “piracy” and efforts to destabilize his government.

The United States has not issued extensive public statements on the matter beyond confirming the details of the maritime operation.

However, officials have emphasized that the missions are part of what they describe as “counter narco-terror operations.”

The Venezuelan fishing vessel has since been released, though both countries remain at odds over the legality of the boarding.

No arrests were reported, and the crew was allowed to return to Venezuelan waters after the search.

The recent series of events has underscored growing strain between Washington and Caracas, with Venezuela accusing the U.S. of overstepping international norms, and the U.S. insisting that its actions are aimed at disrupting drug trafficking in the region.

As U.S. forces continue to increase their presence in the Caribbean, Maduro has vowed to rally his supporters and military in anticipation of further operations.

American officials, meanwhile, continue to signal that they will maintain pressure on drug networks with ties to Venezuela.