In a significant show of force, two US fighter jets, specifically F/A-18 Super Hornets, were tracked circling the Gulf of Venezuela on Tuesday, raising alarms as diplomatic relations between the US and Venezuela continue to deteriorate. The jets appeared close to Maracaibo, Venezuela's second-largest city, where they conducted maneuvers for about 40 minutes, according to flight tracking data.
A US defense official mentioned to the Associated Press that the jets were on a routine training flight in the region. This flight comes in the wake of increasing military actions by the US in the Caribbean aimed at combatting drug trafficking operations allegedly linked to Venezuela. These operations have led to a controversial number of strikes, resulting in significant casualties, which the White House justifies as counter-narcotics efforts.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has responded vehemently to these actions, accusing the US of attempting to destabilize his government and orchestrate a coup. This military tension was exacerbated by recent comments from Donald Trump, who hinted that Maduro's days in power were “numbered,” further igniting fears of potential military intervention in Venezuela.
Moreover, another aircraft, an EA-18G Growler, had been seen prior to the F/A-18s, engaging in similar surveillance activities, thus contributing to the weightiness of the moment. These actions come after a series of unusual military activities by the US Air Force along the Venezuelan coast that have included various types of bomber aircraft.
Experts analyze that these maneuvers might be an attempt to probe Venezuelan defense systems, testing their response capabilities and potentially gathering intelligence. Such flights are crucial for determining the state of Venezuela's military readiness.
As military tensions rise, the US continues to deploy resources to the region, which now include advanced fighter jets stationed in reactivated bases in Puerto Rico, underscoring a growing military footprint in the Caribbean amidst the ongoing geopolitical strife.
A US defense official mentioned to the Associated Press that the jets were on a routine training flight in the region. This flight comes in the wake of increasing military actions by the US in the Caribbean aimed at combatting drug trafficking operations allegedly linked to Venezuela. These operations have led to a controversial number of strikes, resulting in significant casualties, which the White House justifies as counter-narcotics efforts.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has responded vehemently to these actions, accusing the US of attempting to destabilize his government and orchestrate a coup. This military tension was exacerbated by recent comments from Donald Trump, who hinted that Maduro's days in power were “numbered,” further igniting fears of potential military intervention in Venezuela.
Moreover, another aircraft, an EA-18G Growler, had been seen prior to the F/A-18s, engaging in similar surveillance activities, thus contributing to the weightiness of the moment. These actions come after a series of unusual military activities by the US Air Force along the Venezuelan coast that have included various types of bomber aircraft.
Experts analyze that these maneuvers might be an attempt to probe Venezuelan defense systems, testing their response capabilities and potentially gathering intelligence. Such flights are crucial for determining the state of Venezuela's military readiness.
As military tensions rise, the US continues to deploy resources to the region, which now include advanced fighter jets stationed in reactivated bases in Puerto Rico, underscoring a growing military footprint in the Caribbean amidst the ongoing geopolitical strife.
