Venezuelan jets carry out another flyover of US navy vessel

2025-09-08 01:53:45

(MENAFN) Venezuelan military aircraft carried out another flyover of a US Navy vessel, marking the second such incident in as many days, according to defense officials.

The maneuvers were described by officials as resembling a “game of chicken.” One source identified the planes as F-16 fighter jets, which reportedly flew over the USS Jason Dunham late Thursday while it operated in international waters near South America.

It was not immediately known if the aircraft were armed. Reports noted that the guided-missile destroyer did not respond to the jets during the encounter.

On Friday, President Donald Trump issued a stern warning, saying Venezuelan aircraft approaching US ships would be “shot down” if they posed a danger.

“I would say they’re going to be in trouble. We'll let them know about that … if they fly in a dangerous position,” Trump stated from the Oval Office.

The destroyer had been positioned near Venezuela as part of ongoing US missions against drug trafficking networks. Defense officials previously described the initial Venezuelan flyover as “highly provocative,” suggesting it was an attempt to disrupt counter-narcotics operations.

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