CARACAS, Venezuela — Venezuela’s government on Saturday accused personnel from a U.S. warship of boarding a Venezuelan tuna boat with nine fishermen while it was sailing in Venezuelan waters, calling the move “illegal and hostile” and demanding an explanation from Washington.
Foreign Minister Yván Gil said at a press conference on Sept. 13 that a U.S. Navy destroyer dispatched 18 armed personnel who boarded the fishing vessel, remained aboard for about eight hours, prevented communications and the fishermen’s normal activities, and were later released under escort by the Venezuelan navy. Gil said the vessel had authorization from the Ministry of Fisheries to carry out its work and presented a video the government said documents the incident.
Gil described the boarding as “illegal” and “illegitimate,” and warned that Venezuela would defend its sovereignty against any “provocation.” He suggested the action could be intended to create an incident that would justify a military escalation in the Caribbean and said it reflected a continued U.S. policy aimed at regime change in Venezuela.
The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The allegation comes amid sharply heightened tensions between the two nations, which have been strained for years under mutual accusations over drug trafficking, political repression and U.S. efforts to pressure President Nicolás Maduro’s government.
In August, President Donald Trump ordered the deployment of U.S. warships to the Caribbean, citing a campaign against Latin American drug cartels. The United States has also announced the deployment of more than 4,000 troops to the region, though U.S. officials have given no public indication that they plan a ground incursion into Venezuela.
Tensions escalated further this month after the U.S. president said American forces had attacked a drug-laden vessel and killed 11 people aboard, asserting the vessel had departed from Venezuela and was carrying members of the Tren de Aragua gang. U.S. officials have not publicly presented evidence tying the boat to Venezuela or to that gang. Venezuela has accused the United States of extrajudicial killings in that incident; Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello called Washington’s account “a tremendous lie” and said Venezuelan investigations suggested the episode could be linked to disappearances of individuals in a coastal region who had no ties to trafficking.
The Trump administration has publicly accused Maduro of overseeing a sprawling drug-trafficking network and in recent months doubled the U.S. reward for his capture from $25 million to $50 million. Caracas has rejected those accusations and has mobilized domestically in response to rising U.S. pressure, calling on citizens to join pro-government militias and urging volunteers to report to military barracks for training should a foreign incursion occur.
Venezuelan officials said Saturday that the nine fishermen were released and returned to shore after the eight-hour episode. Gil did not provide immediate details about any communications between Venezuelan and U.S. military authorities over the boarding, and U.S. military spokespeople had not provided public comment by midday Saturday.
The incident adds to a string of confrontations in recent months that have intensified diplomatic friction and prompted concern among regional governments and international observers about the potential for miscalculation in the Caribbean. Venezuelan officials framed the episode as part of a pattern of provocative actions aimed at undermining the Maduro government, while U.S. officials have framed their deployments as part of counter-narcotics operations.
Further details about the boarding, including the precise location of the vessel at the time and the identity of the U.S. unit involved, remained unclear pending responses from U.S. authorities. International and regional diplomatic actors have not yet announced any independent inquiries into the reported boarding.
Venezuela’s claim joins other recent, contested incidents at sea that have complicated ties between Caracas and Washington and underscored the broader standoff between the two countries over political authority, security and allegations of illicit networks operating with state tolerance.