Venezuelan Fishermen Face Growing Fears Amid U.S. Military Strikes

Fri Oct 17 2025 02:57:22 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

With increased U.S. military presence in the Caribbean targeting suspected drug trafficking, Venezuelan fishermen like Wilder Fernández express their fears of becoming unintended casualties amid geopolitical tensions.

The recent U.S. military operations aiming at drug traffickers near Venezuela have instilled fear among local fishermen. Wilder Fernández, a fisherman, and others now contemplate the dangers of their profession as U.S. strikes lead to deaths in international waters. The situation poses new threats to the fishing community amidst existing challenges from piracy and environmental issues.

Wilder Fernández has caught four good-sized fish in the murky waters of a small bay north of Lake Maracaibo. The contents of his net will serve as dinner for his small team before they set out to go fishing again in the evening. But this daily task is a job he has recently become scared of doing.

After 13 years as a fisherman, Mr. Fernández confesses that he now fears his job could turn lethal. He is afraid he could die in these waters not at the hands of a night-time attacker, but rather, killed in a strike launched by a foreign power.

It's crazy, man, he says of the deployment of U.S. warships, fighter jets, a submarine, and thousands of U.S. troops in waters north of Venezuela's coast. This force is part of a military operation targeting suspected narco-terrorists, which according to the White House has links to the Venezuelan government led by Nicolás Maduro.

Since September 2, the U.S. has carried out numerous strikes against what it labeled narco-boats, in which at least 27 people have been killed. The U.S. has accused those killed of smuggling drugs, but has yet to provide evidence. Experts have suggested the strikes could be illegal under international law.

Tensions escalated further when U.S. President Donald Trump announced consideration for strikes on Venezuelan soil, and confirmed that he had authorized the CIA to conduct covert operations inside Venezuela.

As concerns grow, many fishermen are wary of going out to sea due to the increased risks. Workers like Mr. Fernández feel trapped in their profession, with limited options amid an economy in crisis.

Despite the fear, some fishermen show defiance, expressing their willingness to defend their homeland against perceived threats. José Luzardo, a spokesperson for local fishermen, declared their intent to stand firm against U.S. aggression.

In these challenging times, the fishermen face a dual threat—from both external military actions and internal struggles related to their livelihoods, creating a complex situation that could have lasting repercussions for the fishing community in Venezuela.