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Venezuela has accused the United States Navy of illegally boarding a Venezuelan fishing vessel within its exclusive economic zone.

Some shit you should know before you dig in: If you’re unaware, an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is an area of ocean that extends up to 200 nautical miles from a country’s coastline, giving that country special rights to explore, use, and manage natural resources like fish, oil, and gas found in the water and on the seabed. While the country has economic control in this zone, it does not have full sovereignty like it does in its territorial waters, which only extend 12 nautical miles from shore. This means foreign ships, including military vessels, are allowed to pass through and operate in an EEZ, as long as they don’t exploit resources or threaten the coastal state’s interests.

What’s going on now: Venezuela’s Foreign Ministry released a statement claiming that personnel deployed from the USS Jason Dunham, a US Navy destroyer, illegally boarded and occupied a Venezuelan fishing vessel operating in the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). According to the statement, 18 armed US personnel remained on the boat for over eight hours, preventing the nine fishermen onboard from continuing their activities. The Ministry described the incident as a “direct provocation through the illegal use of excessive military means,” and warned it was part of a broader effort to destabilize the country. Foreign Minister Yván Gil doubled down during a press conference, saying: “Those who give the order to carry out such provocations are seeking an incident that would justify a military escalation in the Caribbean.”

The accusation comes as the United States has significantly ramped up its military presence in the region. Over the past few weeks, five F-35 fighter jets landed at a base in Puerto Rico, part of a broader deployment that includes 10 advanced stealth aircraft, US warships, helicopters, and other transport aircraft. The Pentagon claims this buildup is part of an operation to combat transnational drug trafficking, especially targeting Venezuela-based groups like Tren de Aragua, which US officials label as “narco-terrorists.”

Venezuela rejects that narrative entirely. Officials argue the US military buildup has little to do with narcotics and everything to do with preparing for a potential military intervention.

This all comes as Venezuela has activated a large-scale coastal defense initiative in response to what it views as growing US aggression. Dubbed “Plan Independencia 200,” the Maduro government has deployed thousands of troops, police forces, and civilian militias across coastal “battlefronts” to secure the nation’s maritime borders. Speaking from Ciudad Caribia, President Nicolás Maduro warned that the country is prepared to respond militarily if provoked. He said, “We’re ready for an armed fight, if it’s necessary.”