A long-range patrol mission was conducted by two United States Air Force B-1 Lancer strategic bombers on Thursday over the Caribbean Sea. Flight Radar 24 tracked them taking off from Dyess Air Force Base in Texas. However, the broadcasting stopped sometime later, after it flew away 50 miles off the Venezuelan coast.
The operation was notified as a routine patrol in international space by the US Southern Command headquartered in Miami. These BTF missions (Bomber Task Force) are conducted regularly to showcase the US military’s reach and readiness, and the B-1’s capability for long-range and high-speed strikes.
Venezuelan Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez mentioned the flight movement as a “provocative act” and an “intimidation” tactic by Washington. He also mentions that Venezuela’s Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB) remains on high alert, and they are always ready to defend the nation’s sovereignty against any external threats.
When pressed by the BBC about the tracking of US bombers, President Donald Trump said, “It is not accurate. It is false. But we are not happy with Venezuela.”
The US military has been gearing up with fighter jets, warships, bombers, drones, and spy planes in the Caribbean Sea for a while now. The US government also claims that they have killed many people in its strikes on drug-carrying vessels.
However, this patrolling took place because of political and diplomatic tension between the US and the administration of Nicolas Maduro (Venezuelan politician). Amid this rising tension, the US continues to impose heavy sanctions against Venezuela. As a result of this, Caracas has strengthened its strategic alliances with US rivals, including Russia, China, and Iran.
Amid all this confusion, the US claims that these kinds of patrols are standard procedure under international law. Reportedly, the B-1 bombers returned to their base without making any significant move, but the mission emphasizes the present geopolitical clash in the Caribbean.
