Venezuelan F-16s Intercept U.S. B-52 Bombers Over Caribbean Sea

Venezuelan Air Force F-16 fighter jets intercepted a formation of U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress strategic bombers over the Caribbean Sea. According to Venezuelan military sources, the B-52s were conducting simulated strike exercises targeting locations within Venezuela, prompting the defensive response. The interception occurred without incident.

Monitoring systems indicated that the U.S. bombers were within missile launch range of Caracas, escalating concerns among Venezuelan military officials. In response, F-16s from El Libertador Air Base were scrambled to visually monitor and escort the B-52s out of the area.

A Venezuelan Air Force spokesperson stated, “We closely tracked their movements to ensure no violation of our sovereign airspace occurred.”

The incident coincides with heightened tensions following President Donald Trump’s announcement of U.S. military operations targeting drug trafficking off Venezuela’s coast, which resulted in six fatalities. U.S. officials described the B-52 flight as a routine show of force, emphasizing it was not intended as a provocation. However, Venezuelan authorities condemned the maneuver as a direct threat to their national sovereignty.