Trump Threatens to Shoot Down Venezuelan Jets Near US Ships as Military Tensions Surge

President Donald Trump has escalated military tensions with Venezuela by ordering that any Venezuelan military aircraft flying dangerously close to U.S. naval vessels “will be shot down.” He emphasized that U.S. military commanders have the discretion to take such action if their ships are put in jeopardy.

This warning follows a “highly provocative” incident in which two Venezuelan F-16 jets flew near the USS Jason Dunham, a U.S. destroyer operating in international waters, prompting sharp reactions from Pentagon officials. The flyover was widely seen as a deliberate show of force amid rising hostilities.

In response, the U.S. has significantly bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean. Ten F-35 stealth fighter jets have been redeployed to Puerto Rico to reinforce operations against designated “narco-terrorist” groups emanating from Venezuela. Additionally, multiple U.S. warships, including destroyers and missile cruisers, have been deployed to the region as part of an intensified anti-drug campaign.

Trump claims the actions are part of a broader crackdown on drug trafficking, linking Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to organized crime. Despite the aggressive posture, Trump reiterated that the administration is not currently pursuing regime change in Venezuela.

International and regional observers are watching closely, concerned that the military buildup and public threats may destabilize an already fraught geopolitical environment.

Sources: Reuters, The Guardian, Axios, BBC News