NextFin news, On Friday, September 19, 2025, Venezuela officially accused the United States of conducting an undeclared war in the Caribbean Sea. Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez stated that U.S. military operations, including strikes on boats in international waters, have resulted in the execution of people without due process, whether or not they were involved in drug trafficking.
The accusations come amid a significant U.S. naval deployment in the Caribbean, including warships and F-35 fighter jets stationed in Puerto Rico, which Washington describes as part of an anti-drug trafficking operation. Venezuela views these actions as a military threat and has responded with military exercises on its Caribbean island of La Orchila.
Attorney General Tarek William Saab condemned the use of missiles and nuclear weapons against defenseless fishermen, labeling such acts as crimes against humanity that warrant investigation by the United Nations. Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil urged the UN Security Council to demand an immediate halt to U.S. military actions in the Caribbean Sea.
The U.S. has conducted multiple strikes on vessels it alleges are involved in drug trafficking, killing at least 14 people described by U.S. officials as "narco-terrorists." However, the legality of these strikes in international waters has been questioned, and Venezuela accuses the U.S. of violating international law and sovereignty.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who faces a $50 million U.S. bounty on drug trafficking charges, accused the Trump administration of orchestrating an imperial plan for regime change aimed at installing a U.S.-friendly government to exploit Venezuela's oil resources. Maduro has called on citizens to join militia training to defend the homeland and announced weapons training for residents in low-income neighborhoods.
The Trump administration denies seeking regime change but has intensified sanctions and military pressure on Maduro's government, which it accuses of leading a drug trafficking network known as the "Cartel de los Soles." Despite official denials, the U.S. has designated this cartel as a foreign terrorist organization and increased military presence in the region.
Opposition leader Henrique Capriles, a critic of Maduro, stated he does not support any U.S. invasion and believes the solution to Venezuela's crisis is political rather than military.
The escalating tensions between Venezuela and the United States highlight a complex geopolitical conflict involving accusations of drug trafficking, sovereignty violations, and fears of military confrontation in the Caribbean region.
Explore more exclusive insights at nextfin.ai.
