Venezuelan Fishermen to Stage maritime Protests Against U.S. Naval Presence
CARACAS – Venezuelan fishermen are preparing to launch six maritime demonstrations along the nation’s coastline in response to the recent deployment of U.S. naval forces in the Caribbean Sea. The mobilizations,announced Saturday by Venezuela’s minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture,Juan carlos Loyo,are intended to demonstrate support for national sovereignty.
The protests are planned for the coasts of Zulia, Falcón, Nueva Esparta, La Guaira, Sucre, Aragua, and Miranda states. Loyo stated in a televised address that the fishermen,whom he called “the first sentinels of the country,” will culminate the marches with a manifesto calling for solidarity from fishermen across South and Central America to “combat threats against the territorial integrity of peoples.”
The move follows the U.S. deployment of eight ships and a submarine to the Caribbean,ostensibly to combat drug trafficking. U.S. President donald Trump stated Monday that the U.S. military had destroyed three vessels allegedly involved in drug trafficking since the beginning of September, resulting in 17 fatalities.
Loyo emphasized the fishermen’s commitment to defending venezuelan waters, highlighting the organization of a “fishing militia” to work alongside the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB) and other security forces. He described the fishermen’s preparations as a disciplined and committed effort, stating, “They are men and women enlisting in the fishing militia, trained and active in the defense of the Caribbean Sea.”
