President Donald Trump warned on 6 September 2025 that Venezuelan military jets that fly near and ‘put us in a dangerous position’ relative to US naval vessels ‘will be shot down’, comments made after reports of two near-misses off the coast of South America and a US strike on a suspected drug-carrying vessel that left 11 people dead.
Key takeaways
- Trump said Venezuelan jets would be shot down if they endanger US ships, speaking in the Oval Office on 6 September 2025.
- US officials reported two separate incidents of Venezuelan military aircraft operating near a US vessel in the southern Caribbean over two days.
- The remarks followed a US strike on what was described by US officials as a Venezuelan-operated, drug-carrying vessel; 11 people were killed in that action.
- Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro denied the US allegations and cautioned that disputes should not become military conflicts.
- The US has increased forces in the southern Caribbean, sending additional naval assets, thousands of marines and sailors, and 10 F-35 jets to Puerto Rico.
- Trump reiterated accusations linking Venezuelan officials and the Tren de Aragua gang to narcotics flows into the United States and noted a $50m reward for Maduro’s arrest.
Verified facts
On 6 September 2025, President Trump told reporters in the Oval Office that Venezuelan jets flying over US naval vessels and creating a dangerous situation ‘will be shot down’. US and media reports cited by US partners said military aircraft from Venezuela operated near a US ship twice in as many days in waters near South America.
US officials have tied the episode to a recent US strike on a boat the administration described as a ‘drug-carrying vessel from Venezuela’. US statements reported 11 fatalities in that strike; those figures have been repeated by US sources and reported publicly.
The White House announced a military reinforcement in the southern Caribbean region in recent days, including additional naval assets, thousands of marines and sailors, and the deployment of 10 F-35 fighters to Puerto Rico to support counter-narcotics operations.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro publicly rejected US claims about his government, saying the allegations are untrue and asserting that diplomatic differences do not justify a military conflict. Maduro also condemned what he described as US attempts at regime change.
| Date | Event | Reported outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Early September 2025 | Two near approaches by Venezuelan military aircraft to a US vessel | US reports of potentially dangerous flyovers |
| Recent days, Sept 2025 | US strike on alleged drug-carrying vessel linked to Venezuela | 11 people killed, per US officials |
| 6 Sep 2025 | Trump warning in Oval Office | Statement that jets could be shot down if they endanger US ships |
Context & impact
The exchange comes amid an intensified US campaign against drug trafficking from Latin America since Trump returned to office in January 2025. The administration has pursued strikes on maritime targets it identifies as trafficking nodes and has increased regional military posture to interdict shipments.
Escalation risks include strained diplomatic ties, further Venezuelan military responses near US assets, and broader regional reactions from neighboring states and international organizations monitoring maritime safety.
US officials have cited concerns about gangs such as Tren de Aragua operating within Venezuela and using maritime routes. The group is designated by the US as a terrorist organization, and Trump has highlighted alleged links between organized criminal networks and elements of the Venezuelan state.
- Regional security: Increased US naval and air presence may deter smuggling but could heighten tensions with Caracas.
- Legal and diplomatic scrutiny: The legality of cross-border strikes and rules of engagement at sea will draw attention from allies and watchdogs.
- Humanitarian concerns: Civilian casualties in maritime strikes raise questions for oversight and proportionality.
‘We demand respect,’ said Nicolás Maduro, rejecting US allegations and urging dialogue over military confrontation.
Nicolás Maduro, President of Venezuela
Unconfirmed
- Whether the Venezuelan jets intended to harass or merely transited near the US vessel is not independently verified.
- Attribution of the drug-carrying boat to Venezuelan state actors versus criminal gangs has been asserted by US officials but is contested by Caracas.
- Full operational details and legal assessments of the US strike that resulted in 11 deaths have not been released publicly in complete form.
Bottom line
The US president’s warning marks a firm rhetorical escalation after maritime incidents and a lethal strike on an alleged drug vessel. The situation raises the risk of miscalculation at sea and will likely prompt scrutiny of rules of engagement, regional diplomatic responses, and legal justifications for US actions.