Sept. 6 (UPI) -- Two Venezuelan military aircraft flew in close proximity to a U.S. Navy ship in international waters for the second time in two days, federal officials confirmed this week.
The Department of War called the move by the two F-16 fighter jets to fly within weapons range of the USS Jason Dunham "highly provocative," and President Donald Trump told reporters the planes would "be in trouble" if a similar situation occurred.
"I would say they're going to be in trouble," Trump told reporters, while speaking to Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.
pic.twitter.com/PSxm3uRsfM— Department of War (@DeptofWar) September 5, 2025
Trump added that if the Venezuelan military planes return in close proximity to any of the ships in the U.S. Navy flotilla and "put us in a dangerous position, they'll be shot down."
