US official says personnel from Navy ship inspected Venezuelan fishing boat for drugs

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: ABC News

September 13, 2025, 7:57 PM


The Venezuelan government accused U.S. personnel of boarding and occupying a civilian fishing boat on Friday, in the latest example of tensions as the U.S. carries out "counter narco-terror operations" in the Caribbean.

A U.S. official told ABC News that Coast Guard personnel stationed aboard the U.S. Navy destroyer USS Jason Dunham searched the fishing boat for drugs following a tip but did not locate any contraband.

Venezuela's Foreign Ministry office claimed Saturday that the U.S. Navy deployed "eighteen personnel with long-range weapons who boarded and occupied" the Venezuelan fishing vessel in waters within Venezuela's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

"This operation lacks any strategic proportionality and constitutes a direct provocation through the illegal use of excessive military means," the foreign ministry said in a statement. A U.S. official with knowledge of the incident confirmed to ABC News that the Jason Dunham received information to board the Venezuelan small craft to see if it was carrying drugs.

Read more: https://abcnews.go.com/International/us-official-personnel-navy-ship-inspected-venezuelan-fishing/story?id=125546298

[gab13by13]

1. Using the military to detain people without probable cause.

I wonder what stopped the navy from just blowing up the tuna boat?

Coming soon to mainland America, well it's already here to a lesser extent.

[OldBaldy1701E]

2. I am waiting.

Sooner or later, they will return the favor. They will detain a ship from the US. That will give the orange gibbon what he wants to start a full on global conflict. Knowing those insane leaders out there, this will force a nuclear exchange that will make life on this planet impossible.

Or, he will cave in two weeks after all the bloated boasting and dick waving. Either way, it is a stupid thing to be doing and his attempts at looking like a 'strong man' are going to backfire.

My concern is just how bad the 'backfiring' will be.

[Stargazer99]

3. why did 11 people get killed on the boarded boat? Especially if there were no drugs found?

If I were the other country I'd be madder than hell

[24601]

4. The boat searched on September 12th isn't the same one that was destroyed on September 2nd.

WRT Friday's search, there were no casualties. It was eventually released under escort by the Venezuelan Navy.

https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2025-09-13/venezuela-says-us-marines-raided-a-fishermens-boat-in-the-caribbean-as-tensions-rise

[Bayard]

11. I'd have to agree with this guy,

"Foreign Minister Yván Gil told journalists the tuna boat was “illegally and hostilely boarded by a United States Navy destroyer” and 18 armed American personnel who remained on the vessel for eight hours, preventing communication and the fishermen’s normal activities. The fishermen were then released under escort by the Venezuelan navy."

This was in Venezuelan waters. They found no drugs. But then, they blow up another ship and 11 people for no good reason.

trump is definitely trying to start a war with a vulnerable country to bolster his ego, and nothing more. He wants to call himself a, "war-time president," play with his toy soldiers, and have a parade.

And why Venezuela? There's plenty of countries exporting drugs. I'm reminded of, "Confessions of an Economic Hit Man."

[Wuddles440]

5. In the incident you cited,...

the boat that the Navy attacked and slaughtered its occupants had not been boarded as they merely relied on "intelligence" to justify their action. Considering the type of boat and the number of people on it, "drug smuggling" was probably not on their menu. Of course, now we'll never know for certain.

[mdbl]

6. Did they check in the keel?

[reACTIONary]

7. They got down to the...

... bilge.

[PatSeg]

8. "Excessive military means" seems to

describe this administration. It is all about brute force, intimidation, and fear both domestic and abroad.

[Grins]

9. I remember reading how the U.S. once went to WAR over...

…another country illegally and violently boarding American ships. We’ve come full circle…

[LeftInTX]

10. Smells fishy

[bluestarone]

12. Real fishy!!

Las Vegas would probably give million to one odds that they are LYING again!!