The US deployed two fighter jets over the Gulf of Venezuela on Tuesday in what appeared to be the closest known approach by military aircraft to Venezuelan airspace to date, according to reports.
The F/A-18 jets were spotted on Flightradar24 flying over waters north of Venezuela for about 30 minutes. Associated press reported.
A US defense official, speaking on condition of anonymity, described the brief mission as a “routine training flight” intended to demonstrate the aircraft’s operational range.
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According to reports, F-18 fighter jets were deployed to the Gulf of Venezuela on Tuesday. (Finnbarr Webster/Getty Images))
The official also did not reveal whether the jets were armed, but emphasized that the operation remained entirely within international airspace.
Tuesday’s double flight follows months of increased U.S. military activity in the region.
Although the U.S. has previously flown B-52 Stratofortress and B-1 Lancer bombers along Venezuela’s coastline, these planes did not appear to come as close as Tuesday’s F/A-18s.
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The US military deployed F/A-18 jets near Venezuelan airspace in what defense officials described as routine training to demonstrate operational range. (Julian Abram Wainwright/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
The increase in activity in the region first began following US attacks on suspected drug smuggling vessels in both the Caribbean Sea and the Eastern Pacific Ocean.
The first reported US military attack on a ship allegedly leaving Venezuela with drugs was in September.
The Trump administration said the operations were essential to curbing the illegal drug trade, although Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro continues to deny this.
Tensions over Venezuelan airspace escalated in November after President Trump ordered airlines to treat the region as effectively closed, in line with FAA warnings to civilian airlines.
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Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro holds a ceremonial sword reportedly belonging to independence hero Simon Bolivar during a government-organized civil-military march in Caracas, Venezuela, Tuesday, November 25, 2025. (Ariana Cubillos/AP Photo)
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He said this included fighter jets, limited surface ships and Russian-made surface-to-air missiles.
“We can reasonably eliminate the air and maritime threat to U.S. forces in the first two days of a campaign plan,” Montgomery said.
Isaias Medina, an international lawyer and former Venezuelan diplomat, also said Venezuela’s own military capabilities look better on paper than in reality.
