Venezuela’s Ministry of Defense announced on 15 September that several American reconnaissance aircraft allegedly entered the Maiquetía Flight Information Region (FIR) over the past week, covering Caracas and La Guaira. The claims are based on flight tracks shared by Venezuela’s Strategic Operational Command on social media.
According to Caracas, the incursions involved U.S. Air Force MQ-9 Reaper drones, RC-135 Rivet Joint signals intelligence aircraft, and U.S. Navy P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol planes, along with other American military aircraft. Venezuela regards these flights as violations of its national air defense identification zone.
Venezuela has reported similar events regularly since 2019, framing them as part of rising tensions with Washington. The U.S., however, maintains that its flights are routine intelligence-gathering missions conducted in international airspace. This dispute highlights the ongoing contest between sovereignty claims and operational norms in the region.
The MQ-9 Reaper provides long-endurance surveillance and strike capabilities, the RC-135 Rivet Joint specializes in electronic intelligence, and the P-8 Poseidon conducts maritime patrol and anti-submarine operations. While Venezuela mobilizes troops along borders, the U.S. continues routine reconnaissance, sustaining a climate of tension in the Caribbean and northern South America without direct confrontation.
