CARACAS - The Venezuelan government has issued a strong condemnation after detecting what it describes as an “illegal incursion” by U.S. combat aircraft on October 2, 2025. According to the Ministries of Defense and Foreign Affairs, the planes were identified approximately 75 kilometers from Venezuela’s coastline, within the Maiquetía Flight Information Region (FIR).

The maneuver was detected by Venezuela’s Comprehensive Aerospace Defense Command (CODAI), which labeled the event a “provocation” that threatens the country’s sovereignty and violates both international law and the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation.

Officials stressed that the incident also posed a serious risk to civil and commercial aviation in the Caribbean. The Colombian airline Avianca reportedly confirmed sightings of the aircraft, supporting CODAI’s detection.

Venezuela said the event fits a “pattern of harassment” and cannot be tolerated. In a statement, the government directly accused U.S. Secretary of War Peter Hegseth of taking a “reckless, adventurous, and warlike stance” that undermines the peace of Latin America and the Caribbean and threatens regional stability.

Caracas announced it will escalate the matter to international bodies, including the United Nations, the Security Council, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), urging global authorities to act to prevent similar incidents.

“Venezuela will not accept intimidation or aggression from any foreign power and will fully exercise its right to defend national sovereignty, in accordance with international law,” the statement read.

The Bolivarian National Armed Force confirmed it will remain on permanent alert with its Integrated Aerospace Defense System as tensions with Washington continue.