The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela has denounced a serious incident that occurred on Friday, September 12. A Venezuelan fishing vessel named «Carmen Rosa,» with nine fishermen on board, was illegally and hostilely boarded by a United States Navy destroyer, the USS «Jason Dunham» (DDG-109). The incident occurred 48 nautical miles northeast of the La Blanquilla Island, within Venezuela’s Exclusive Economic Zone (ZEE).
According to the official communiqué, the warship deployed eighteen armed personnel who occupied the fishing vessel for eight hours. This action impeded communication and the normal conduct of the tuna fishing operations for which the «Carmen Rosa» vessel was authorized. The Venezuelan government described the operation as disproportionate and a direct provocation through the illegal use of exaggerated military means.
Likewise, the Chancellor of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Ivan Gil, asserted that those ordering these provocations seek to generate an incident that would justify an escalation of the war in the Caribbean. The objective of this policy, condemned as a failure and rejected even by the American people, would be to insist on a regime change in Venezuela, exposing the lives of soldiers as «cannon fodder» in risky maneuvers.
The incident is described as shameful and irresponsible conduct by political sectors in Washington. It is alleged that these actors are committing expensive military resources and trained soldiers as instruments to fabricate pretexts that lead to military adventures, which in turn would undermine the very prestige and military honor of the United States.
The incident takes on particular significance as it occurred within Venezuela’s ZEE, a maritime space where the country exercises sovereign rights over natural resources up to 200 nautical miles from its coast.
The Bolivarian National Armed Forces, faithful to their constitutional duty, monitored and registered the incident minute by minute with their air, naval, and surveillance assets. They accompanied the fishermen at all times until their release, demonstrating Venezuela’s ability to monitor and deter any threat, maintaining its commitment to peace and avoiding provocations.
President Maduro’s government demands that the United States immediately cease these actions, which endanger the security and peace of the Caribbean. At the same time, it calls on the American people to recognize the seriousness of these maneuvers and reject the use of its soldiers to further the desires of what it describes as a greedy and predatory elite.
Venezuela, through its government, reaffirms its unwavering commitment to peace and the defense of its sovereignty. President Nicolás Maduro and his administration have declared that they will continue to protect the security of their waters against any external provocation or threat. The official communiqué was issued in Caracas on September 13, 2025.