Venezuela's foreign minister accused the U.S. Navy of illegally boarding a Venezuelan tuna boat in Venezuelan waters. Eighteen armed personnel from a U.S. destroyer stayed aboard for eight hours before releasing the nine Venezuelan fishermen. The incident follows recent U.S. military actions in the Caribbean and heightened tensions between the two countries, with Venezuela alleging the U.S. is seeking a pretext for military escalation and regime change. Venezuela has called for citizens to join militias amid concerns of a potential U.S. ground incursion.

Prepared by Rachel Morgan and reviewed by editorial team.