• Venezuelan officials claim five US fighter jets approached their coast, calling it military harassment.
• Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino warns of a "national mobilization" in response to US actions.
• The US military's drug trafficking operations in the region have heightened tensions between the nations.

Venezuela's Defense Minister, Vladimir Padrino, recently reported the detection of five US fighter jets near the country’s coastline, describing the incident as a significant threat and "provocation" by the United States. He stated, "They are imperialist combat planes that have dared to approach the Venezuelan coast," stressing the perceived threat to national security, according to AA and indatimes.

The Venezuelan government deemed the presence of US jets a "vulgarity" and a threat to its security, accusing Washington of military harassment. Padrino warned that any attack would lead to a "national mobilization," reinforcing Venezuela’s readiness to respond to perceived aggression, as reported by TRT Global and Reuters.

The escalation comes amid US military operations in the Caribbean against suspected drug trafficking, with President Trump authorizing strikes on several alleged drug boats, resulting in at least 14 deaths. Venezuelan authorities argued these actions are part of a broader strategy to undermine sovereignty, fueling concerns among Venezuelans about the US's intentions, according to Al Jazeera and Le Monde.

In their denunciation, the Venezuelan foreign and defense ministries emphasized the legality of the US presence, claiming it breached international norms and jeopardized civil aviation safety. They labeled these actions as constituting a pattern of harassment, further exacerbating relations between Caracas and Washington, highlighted by The Hill and India Times.