Venezuela accuses US of illegal detention of fishermen amid rising tensions

In recent days, Venezuela has strongly criticized the United States for an incident involving the seizure of a fishing boat in its territorial waters. The Venezuelan foreign ministry stated that on a Friday, the USS Jason Dunham, a U.S. Navy destroyer, detained nine fishermen who were operating a tuna boat approximately 48 nautical miles northeast of La Blanquilla Island. Citing the presence of the U.S. military in the Caribbean, Venezuela accused the U.S. of using excessive military means resulting in a hostile takeover of the vessel, labeling it a provocation that threatens regional peace. The U.S. Navy's action is contextualized within a broader effort by the Trump administration to increase pressure on Venezuela, particularly against its President Nicolás Maduro, whom Washington accuses of drug trafficking. In the weeks leading up to the incident, the U.S. had escalated its military presence in the Caribbean ostensibly to combat drug-related activities. The Venezuelan government views these maneuvers as attempts to incite conflict and justify interventions aimed at regime change. In response to queries regarding potential military strikes against Venezuela, President Trump stated ambiguously that he would