Two US Warplanes Patrol Venezuela Gulf; Trump Reacts—Here’s What He Said

Washington: Two US Navy F/A-18 Super Hornets flew for more than 30 minutes Tuesday over the Gulf of Venezuela. It was the closest flight of American warplanes to the Venezuelan coast in recent years.

Dangerous stunt in international airspace

According to Flightradar24, these two jets became the most tracked aircraft in the world. The US Defense Ministry described it as a “simple training mission,” but Venezuela called it a “violation of airspace.” Venezuelan users are writing on social media, “Maduro is scared.”

Deadly attacks continue in the name of drug smuggling

Since September 2025, the US Navy has attacked 22 suspected drug boats in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific. More than 87 people have died in these. There is an uproar in the US Congress; MPs are asking for video footage. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth gave a confidential briefing to Congress on Tuesday, but the videos have not yet been released.

Trump's clear message: "Maduro's days are numbered"

In an interview with Politico, President Donald Trump said, "We are waging an arms war against drug smugglers. If necessary, we will also go on the ground." Regarding Maduro, he said bluntly, “His days are now numbered.” When pressed on the question of removing Maduro from power, Trump smiled and said, "I wouldn't say it... but his days are definitely coming to an end."

VENEZUELA🇻🇪ESTADOS
ZULIA y FALCÓN

NUEVA VIOLACIÓN del ESPACIO AÉREO de VENEZUELA🇻🇪

Dos2️⃣F18 Super Hornet de la Marina de EE.UU🇺🇸sobrevolando el golfo de Venezuela🇻🇪muy cerca de Maracaibo y Punto Fijo.

🧻MADURO🧻TIENE🧻MIEDO🧻 pic.twitter.com/qSXjsOwF0t

— abogadosvenezuela (@abogadosvenezu1) December 9, 2025

Largest US military deployment in the region

The US has built its largest military presence in the Caribbean in decades. Experts believe that this flight of the fighter jet is not just training but an open message to the Maduro government—now only sanctions and diplomacy will not suffice; military pressure will increase at every level.
The hovering of American jets over the Gulf of Venezuela shows that tension in the region has reached its peak. The coming days may be even more turbulent.