Venezuela condemns interception of ‘harmless’ fishing vessel by US warship
Venezuela has condemned the interception and hostile occupation of a “harmless” Venezuelan tuna fishing vessel by a US warship.
The “harmless” fishing vessel crewed by nine “humble” fishermen was boarded in an illegal and hostile manner, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil said in a statement on Saturday.
The fishing vessel was in the country’s special economic zone at the time of occupation by the US destroyer USS Jason Dunham (DDG-109), “equipped with powerful cruise missiles and manned by highly specialized marines.”
The crew of the US destroyer intercepted, boarded and occupied the Venezuelan tuna fishing vessel for eight hours in the waters of the South American country’s Special Economic Zone on Friday.
“The warship deployed 18 armed agents who boarded and occupied the small, harmless boat for eight hours,” the foreign ministry statement said, calling the incident a “direct provocation through the illegal use of excessive military means.”
It demanded that the US forces immediately cease targeting Venezuelan fishing vessels, which it said puts “the security and peace of the Caribbean at risk.”
CNN reports US President Donald Trump is considering strikes against Venezuela.
The occupation of the Venezuelan vessel, which follows a US military strike last week, has further escalated tensions between Caracas and Washington.
The US military strike last week in the Caribbean killed 11 Venezuelans and sank a boat that the administration of US President Donald Trump claimed, without evidence, had been transporting narcotics to the United States.
Caracas has rejected these claims, with Minister of the Popular Power for Interior Diosdado Cabello insisting none of those killed was a member of the Tren de Aragua gang, as alleged by Washington.
“They openly confessed to killing 11 people,” the minister pointed out, insisting that, “Our investigations show the victims were not drug traffickers. A murder has been committed against a group of citizens using lethal force.”
Cabello condemned the US move as “murder.”
Maduro says his country is facing “the biggest threat” their continent has seen in the last 100 years” amid US naval buildup.
Meanwhile, Caracas says Washington is aiming for “regime change” in Venezuela, scheming to topple the “illegitimate” government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro from power.
Last month, Washington doubled its $25 million reward for information leading to Maduro’s apprehension, raising it to $50 million.
Maduro, for his part, reiterated the Bolivarian nation’s readiness to defend its waters, saying, “We’re ready for an armed fight, if it’s necessary.”
Venezuela’s leftist leader, on Thursday, announced the deployment of troops, police and civilian militias across 284 “battlefront” locations, reinforcing previous troop increases along the Colombian border.
