Venezuela Alleges 5 US Fighter Jets Approached Its Coastline

The alleged sighting near Maiquetia comes weeks after U.S. military strikes on Venezuelan-linked vessels tied to narcotrafficking.

Venezuela's Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez (R) speaks during a press conference in Caracas, Venezuela, on Aug. 27, 2025. AFP via Getty Images

Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López on Oct. 2 accused the United States of provocation after five U.S. fighter jets were allegedly detected near the coastline of Venezuela.

Padrino said the country’s air defense system detected five F-35 aircraft with flight characteristics of 400 knots and flying at an altitude of around 35,000 feet near the Maiquetia region.