The Caribbean Sea is turning into the most dangerous spot on the world map, where military games between the United States and the regime of Nicolás Maduro have reached an unprecedented level. At the center of the latest naval drama is the American destroyer USS Jason Dunham (DDG-109), a multi-role warship whose actions caused a storm of indignation and an immediate mobilization in Caracas.
The incident occurred in waters that Washington considers its operational zone for combating drug trafficking, and Caracas considers its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). According to Venezuelan statements, on September 12, the destroyer, equipped with Tomahawk missiles, approached the coast at a dangerous distance and carried out a “hostile” action: the seizure of a small Venezuelan tuna boat. Venezuelan authorities, citing fishermen, claim that 18 armed agents from the destroyer “occupied” the vessel, which had nine “humble” fishermen on board, and held it for eight hours. This act was called a “direct provocation” and an “illegal use of excessive military means.” US sources confirmed the boarding took place but insist it was conducted in international waters and was part of a large-scale counter-narcotics mission. Paradoxically, no contraband was found on the fishing vessel.
Initial but unconfirmed reports in the region indicated that the destroyer USS Jason Dunham had opened fire with its 127-mm artillery gun at an unknown target. Although subsequent official statements from Caracas focused on the inspection and seizure of the fishing vessel, the shadow of this potential shooting or warning shot remains part of the tense atmosphere. This contrast between “gunfire” and “boarding” highlights the information chaos and the extreme level of risk with which both sides operate in close proximity to each other.
The current naval clash is just the culmination of a dramatic conflict that began earlier in September. A week prior, two Venezuelan F-16 fighter jets conducted a provocative flyover above the destroyer, which prompted a sharp response from Washington. Furthermore, the destroyer’s actions occurred against the backdrop of an even deadlier incident: a recent US airstrike in the Caribbean Sea that resulted in a vessel, allegedly carrying drugs, being sunk and 11 people killed. While the US administration linked the deceased to the Venezuelan criminal group Tren de Aragua, Caracas vehemently denied this, calling what happened the “murder” of peaceful civilians. These events create a backdrop of distrust and hostility against which any close encounter of ships or aircraft could prove fatal.
Caracas’s reaction was instantaneous: Maduro’s government sharply condemned the actions of the American military as a deliberate step towards “justifying an escalation of war” and an attempt at regime change. In response, President Maduro announced the deployment of national armed forces, police, and civilian militia to 284 “combat zones” across the country. This is not just a symbolic gesture but a clear signal of readiness for armed resistance. The Venezuelan militia and volunteers immediately began drills and weapons training, preparing to “defend the homeland.”
The Caribbean Sea, known for its tropical serenity, has now become a potential collision field, where every movement of the USS Jason Dunham and every countermove by Caracas echoes with geopolitical tension. This incident leaves an open question: if even the inspection of a “clean” fishing vessel provokes such a reaction, what would it take to truly ignite the fire?
