Conflicts

U.S. Fighter Jets Fly Near Venezuela Amid Regional Military Operations

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Dec 10, 2025

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Two U.S. F/A-18 fighter jets flew over the Gulf of Venezuela on Tuesday for approximately 30 minutes, an event described as the closest known approach of American military aircraft to Venezuelan airspace. The flight occurred entirely within international waters. A U.S. defense official, speaking on condition of anonymity, characterized the event as a "routine training flight" intended to demonstrate the aircraft's operational reach.

The flight is part of a broader and months-long U.S. military campaign in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific. The Trump administration has justified the operations as necessary to curb illicit drug trafficking. Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has reportedly denied these claims.

The increased military activity began after U.S. strikes on vessels allegedly smuggling drugs from Venezuela, with the first reported strikes occurring in September. Reports indicate that since that time, U.S. forces have engaged with more than 20 boats suspected of transporting drugs from the country. In November, President Trump had also instructed airlines to treat the region as effectively closed, which was in line with existing civil aviation warnings.

According to a recent interview, President Trump has warned that the current anti-drug trafficking campaign could be extended to other countries, identifying Mexico and Colombia as possibilities. The financial cost of the ongoing military activities to U.S. taxpayers is also reportedly under examination.

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• Venezuela disputes the stated rationale for the U.S. military presence. The article notes that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has reportedly denied the U.S. administration's claims regarding illicit drug trafficking. This suggests a direct rejection of the core justification provided for the ongoing U.S. military campaign in the region.

• The U.S. military is operating in very close proximity to Venezuelan territory. The flight by the F/A-18 jets was described as the "closest known approach" of American military aircraft to Venezuelan airspace, even though it remained in international waters. This close-range activity, along with President Trump’s instruction for airlines to treat the region as "effectively closed," underscores the intensity of the operations.

• The financial cost and potential expansion of the campaign are under review. The article mentions that the financial burden of the military activities on U.S. taxpayers is reportedly under examination. Additionally, President Trump’s warning that the campaign could be extended to other countries like Mexico and Colombia raises questions about the future scope and scale of the operations.

How it may affect me

As a U.S. reader:

• The financial cost of these ongoing military operations to U.S. taxpayers is reportedly under examination, which could influence future government spending.

• Civilian travel and services in the region could be affected, as airlines were instructed to treat the area as "effectively closed" due to military activity.

• The campaign may be extended to other countries, including Mexico and Colombia, potentially impacting U.S. policy and relations with key regional partners.

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