Nicolás Maduro's regime reported this Saturday, September 13, that the Venezuelan vessel Carmen Rosa, crewed by nine tuna fishermen, was attacked by the U.S. Navy destroyer USS Jason Dunham in waters within Venezuela's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), 48 nautical miles northeast of La Blanquilla Island. The incident occurred during an authorized tuna fishing operation, according to an official statement from the Chavista government.

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The statement details that the USS Jason Dunham, equipped with cruise missiles and crewed by Marines, deployed 18 personnel with long-range weapons who boarded the Venezuelan vessel for eight hours."The warship deployed eighteen personnel with long-range weapons who boarded and occupied the small, harmless vessel for eight hours, impeding communication and the normal activities of the fishermen," the statement said. The Chavistas described the action as a"direct provocation" and a disproportionate use of military means.

The accusation comes after the September 2 attack on a Venezuelan drug boat, which left 11 dead and was justified by the US as an anti-drug operation. The Maduro regime accused Washington of seeking an"incident that would justify an escalation of war in the Caribbean" to overthrow him."Those who give the order to carry out these provocations are seeking an incident that would justify an escalation of war in the Caribbean, with the aim of insisting on their failed policy of regime change, rejected by the US people," the statement said.

The Chavistas' party stated that the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB) monitored the incident in real time."The Bolivarian National Armed Forces, faithful to their constitutional duty, monitored and recorded the incident minute by minute with the air, naval, and surveillance resources at their disposal, accompanying the fishermen at all times until their release," the statement stated. The FANB claimed to have acted without responding to the provocations, emphasizing its commitment to peace.

The statement also criticizes political sectors in Washington for using military resources in"war adventures" that undermine their prestige."The incident reflects the shameful behavior of political sectors in Washington who, irresponsibly, commit extremely expensive military resources and trained soldiers as instruments to fabricate pretexts," the Chavista statement adds.

The Maduro regime demanded that the US cease these actions and called on the American people to reject them.