Two Venezuelan F-16 fighter jets have flown over a US Navy destroyer in the Caribbean Sea, a US official told “Reuters“, reports News.bg.
According to the Pentagon, the incident occurred in international waters and was a “highly provocative move“.
Washington has issued a stern warning to Venezuela not to interfere with increased US military operations in the region. Tensions have escalated just two days after a US strike destroyed a ship that President Donald Trump said was carrying illegal drugs. The attack killed 11 people.
The Trump administration claims it has the authority to target suspected members of the Tren de Aragua gang, designated a terrorist organization earlier this year. However, legal experts have questioned the legality of the operation.
The Pentagon has likened Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government to a drug cartel - a claim that Caracas strongly denies. According to the US military, the two fighter jets flew over the destroyer USS Jason Dunham - one of at least seven US ships in the Caribbean carrying more than 4,500 sailors and marines.
Trump's decision to destroy the ship rather than detain it and arrest its crew was described by analysts as unusual and reminiscent of operations against groups such as Al Qaeda.