Venezuela Accuses U.S. of Illegally Seizing Fishing Boat Amid Caribbean Tensions

Venezuela has condemned the United States for seizing a Venezuelan tuna fishing vessel crewed by nine fishermen for eight hours in its exclusive economic zone. The Venezuelan government described the boarding by the USS Jason Dunham as illegal, hostile, and an excessive military provocation aimed at escalating conflict in the Caribbean and pressuring for regime change. This incident comes amid heightened tensions after a recent U.S. military strike killed 11 people and sank a Venezuelan boat alleged by the Trump administration to be involved in drug trafficking. Venezuela disputes the U.S. claims, asserting the fishermen were harmless and denying the victims' affiliation with criminal organizations. The Venezuelan government has demanded that the U.S. cease operations that endanger peace and security in the region, while the U.S. has yet to comment on the latest incident. These developments reflect ongoing friction as President Trump intensifies pressure on Nicolás Maduro, accusing him of drug cartel involvement and increasing bounties for his capture.