US B-52 Bombers Conduct Missions Near Venezuelan Coast Amid Drug Warfare

On Thursday, two US B-52 bombers flew near the Venezuelan coast over the Caribbean Sea, showcasing military strength as Washington steps up its campaign against alleged drug trafficking operations in the region.

Flight tracking data from Flightradar24 indicated that the bombers traveled parallel to Venezuela’s northern coast, made a loop northeast of Caracas, and then returned over the sea. This incident marks at least the fourth occasion since mid-October that US military aircraft have been spotted nearby, with both B-52 and B-1B bombers involved in previous occurrences.

This recent operation has generated increased apprehension in Caracas, where officials suspect that the United States' military presence in the Caribbean may reflect deeper political motives. Although Washington claims its focus is solely disrupting international drug trafficking routes, Venezuelan authorities contend that the US is leveraging anti-drug initiatives as a guise for potential regime change.

In recent weeks, the US has mobilized significant naval and aerial capabilities in the area. The USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier strike group is en route to Latin America, accompanied by F-35 stealth fighters based in Puerto Rico and six Navy vessels currently engaged in operations within the Caribbean Sea.

Since early September, US forces have reportedly conducted at least 17 operations against vessels accused of drug smuggling—16 boats and one semi-submersible—resulting in an estimated 67 casualties, as per official estimates. However, Washington has yet to provide definitive proof that these vessels were involved in narcotics trafficking or posed any imminent risk.

The persistent presence of substantial US military resources near Venezuelan waters has amplified geopolitical tensions. President Nicolás Maduro’s government has charged the US with attempting to destabilize his regime, while Washington insists its actions are strictly aligned with “counter-narcotics operations.”

With every flight and strike, the divide between Washington and Caracas widens, turning the Caribbean skies into a focal point of a rising regional power struggle.