Venezuela Condemns US Destroyer for Hostile Occupation of Fishing Vessel
CARACAS, Venezuela - In a move that has further escalated tensions between Caracas and Washington, the Venezuelan government on Saturday condemned the United States Navy's USS Jason Dunham (DDG-109) for boarding and occupying one of its fishing vessels in the country's special economic zone.
According to a statement released by Venezuela's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the incident occurred on Friday when 18 armed agents from the US warship intercepted and occupied the small fishing boat, carrying nine Venezuelan fishermen, for eight hours. The ministry described the move as "a direct provocation through the illegal use of excessive military means."
"This is a clear example of the aggressive behavior of the United States towards our country," said Jorge Arreaza, Venezuela's Minister of Foreign Affairs, in a statement. "We demand that the US government take immediate action to prevent such incidents from happening again and provide compensation for the damage caused to our fishermen and their families."
The incident has sparked outrage among Venezuelans, who see it as an affront to their country's sovereignty. "This is not just about fishing; it's about our national dignity," said Maria Rodriguez, a local fisherman whose brother was on board the vessel during the occupation.
The USS Jason Dunham is a guided-missile destroyer that has been deployed in the region as part of a US military buildup aimed at countering what Washington sees as growing threats from China and Russia. The ship's presence in Venezuelan waters has raised concerns among regional countries, who see it as an attempt to assert US dominance in the region.
The incident follows a US military strike on Venezuela in August, which was condemned by the international community as a violation of sovereignty. The move has further strained relations between Caracas and Washington, which have been at odds over issues such as trade, human rights, and democracy.
As tensions continue to escalate, regional countries are calling for calm and urging both sides to engage in dialogue. "We urge both Venezuela and the United States to exercise restraint and seek a peaceful resolution to their differences," said a spokesperson for the Organization of American States (OAS).
The Venezuelan government has announced that it will take further action against the US over the incident, including filing a complaint with the International Court of Justice.
Background:
Venezuela's special economic zone is a 200-mile-wide area off its coast where fishing and other maritime activities are regulated by Caracas. The zone is rich in marine resources, including oil and gas reserves, which have been exploited by foreign companies in recent years.
The US has long been critical of Venezuela's handling of the zone, accusing the government of corruption and mismanagement. Washington has also imposed economic sanctions on Venezuela over what it sees as human rights abuses and democratic backsliding.
Additional Perspectives:
"This incident highlights the need for greater cooperation between countries in the region to prevent such incidents from happening again," said a spokesperson for the European Union.
"We condemn any form of aggression against Venezuelan sovereignty, but we also urge Caracas to engage in dialogue with Washington to resolve their differences peacefully," said a spokesperson for the Organization of American States.
Current Status and Next Developments:
The incident is likely to further strain relations between Caracas and Washington, which have been at odds over issues such as trade, human rights, and democracy. The Venezuelan government has announced that it will take further action against the US over the incident, including filing a complaint with the International Court of Justice.
As tensions continue to escalate, regional countries are calling for calm and urging both sides to engage in dialogue. "We urge both Venezuela and the United States to exercise restraint and seek a peaceful resolution to their differences," said a spokesperson for the Organization of American States.
*Reporting by Aljazeera.*
