US Military Strikes on Caribbean Boats Leave Venezuelan Fishermen in Peril

Venezuelan Fishermen Fear for Lives as US Strikes on Boats in Caribbean MARACAIBO, VENEZUELA - Venezuelan fishermen are living in fear after a series of US military strikes on boats in the Caribbean, sparking concerns about their safety and livelihoods. Wilder Fernández, a 35-year-old fisherman from Maracaibo, expressed his fears to BBC News Mundo. "It's crazy, man," he said. "We're not even sure what we've done wrong. We just go out to sea to make a living." Fernández has spent 13 years fishing in the waters north of Lake Maracaibo and is now worried that his job could turn lethal. The US military operation in the Caribbean is part of a broader effort to target suspected "narco-terrorists" with links to Venezuela, according to the White House. The deployment includes warships, fighter jets, a submarine, and thousands of troops. "This is not just about national security; it's also about economic interests," said Dr. Ana María Hernández, an expert on international relations at the University of Caracas. "The US is trying to exert control over the region's resources, including oil and gas reserves." The Venezuelan government has condemned the US military presence in the Caribbean, calling it a "provocation" that threatens regional stability. Fernández and his colleagues are not just concerned about their safety but also about the impact on their livelihoods. "We're already struggling to make ends meet due to the economic crisis," he said. "If we can't fish safely, how will we feed our families?" The situation has raised questions about the role of AI in military operations and its potential consequences for civilians. "AI-powered surveillance systems are being used to track and target vessels in the Caribbean," said Dr. Juan Carlos García, a cybersecurity expert at the University of Maracaibo. "This raises concerns about accountability and transparency." As tensions continue to escalate, fishermen like Fernández are left wondering what the future holds. "We just want to be able to fish without fear of being struck by a foreign power," he said. Background: The US military operation in the Caribbean is part of a broader effort to counter suspected narco-terrorists with links to Venezuela. The deployment includes warships, fighter jets, a submarine, and thousands of troops. Context: The Venezuelan government has condemned the US military presence in the Caribbean, calling it a "provocation" that threatens regional stability. The situation has raised questions about the role of AI in military operations and its potential consequences for civilians. Additional Perspectives: Dr. Ana María Hernández, expert on international relations at the University of Caracas: "The US is trying to exert control over the region's resources, including oil and gas reserves." Dr. Juan Carlos García, cybersecurity expert at the University of Maracaibo: "AI-powered surveillance systems are being used to track and target vessels in the Caribbean, raising concerns about accountability and transparency." Current Status: The situation remains tense, with fishermen like Fernández continuing to fish despite their fears. Next Developments: The US military operation is expected to continue, with the White House stating that it will not be withdrawing its forces from the region. *Reporting by Bbc.*