American B-52 bombers circle Venezuelan airspace as Washington-Caracas tensions escalate
By kevinhughes // 2025-10-18
Copy
 
  • Three B-52H Stratofortress bombers flew near Venezuelan airspace in a provocative display, with one approaching within a few hundred kilometers of Venezuela's coast before turning off its transponder – raising concerns about mission intent.
  • The flights follow U.S. President Donald Trump's lethal strikes on vessels allegedly linked to narcotrafficking near Venezuela, totaling 27 deaths since September, which Venezuela condemns as illegal aggression and pretext for intervention.
  • Washington has deployed three guided-missile destroyers and 4,000 Marines near Venezuela, while Caracas mobilized 25,000 troops along its coasts and borders, warning the UN of potential conflict.
  • Declassified U.S. intelligence memos admit "no evidence" Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro directs cartels, and Mexico's president dismissed claims linking him to the Sinaloa Cartel, demanding proof.
  • Analysts view the bomber flights as psychological warfare, but Venezuela warns any incursion could trigger broader conflict, leaving the world watching for escalation or diplomacy.
In a dramatic show of force, three U.S. B-52H Stratofortress bombers were tracked flying near Venezuelan airspace early Wednesday, Oct. 15 –  escalating fears of a potential military confrontation between Washington and Caracas. The deployment comes amid a sharpening U.S. campaign against alleged Venezuelan state-sponsored narcotrafficking, a claim Venezuelan officials vehemently deny, calling it a pretext for aggression. Flight tracking data from Flightradar24 revealed the bombers – callsigns BUNNY01, BUNNY02 and BUNNY03 – departed Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana around 2:50 a.m. ET, flying south through the Gulf of Mexico before passing between Mexico and Cuba and circling the Caribbean Sea near Venezuela. At least one bomber appeared to approach within a few hundred kilometers of Venezuela's coast before turning off its transponder, raising questions about the mission's intent. Open-source intelligence analysts, including OSINTdefender, speculated the flight was a "show of force" targeting both Venezuelan drug cartels and the Maduro regime, which the Trump administration has labeled a "narco-terrorist state." The bombers, capable of carrying 70,000 pounds of ordnance – including nuclear weapons – sent a clear message of U.S. military dominance. According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, the B-52H Stratofortress is a long-range, strategic bomber aircraft developed and operated by the U.S. Air Force. It is a variant of the original B-52 Stratofortress, which first entered service in the 1950s. The bomber flights follow U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement of a lethal strike on a vessel allegedly linked to narcotrafficking off Venezuela's coast, which killed six individuals. Trump posted on Truth Social: "Under my Standing Authorities as Commander-in-Chief, this morning, the Secretary of War ordered a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel affiliated with a Designated Terrorist Organization (DTO) conducting narcotrafficking in the USSOUTHCOM area of responsibility—just off the Coast of Venezuela." This marked the fifth such strike since early September, bringing the total death toll to 27. Venezuelan officials have condemned the attacks as violations of international law, with President Nicolás Maduro accusing the U.S. of fabricating a narco-terrorism narrative to justify intervention: "The communications with the government of the U.S. are thrown away by them, with their threats of bombs, death and blackmail."

Military buildup on both sides

The U.S. has significantly bolstered its military presence in the region, deploying three guided-missile destroyers – USS Gravely, USS Jason Dunham and USS Sampson – to international waters near Venezuela. Reports indicate 4,000 U.S. Marines are also on standby, fueling speculation of a potential invasion. Meanwhile, Venezuela has mobilized 25,000 troops along its Caribbean coast and Colombian border, with Maduro declaring the nation in "maximum preparedness." The Venezuelan government has also appealed to the United Nations, warning that U.S. actions could provoke a full-scale conflict. While the Trump administration insists Venezuela is a hub for drug trafficking, recently declassified U.S. intelligence memos cast doubt on direct involvement by Maduro, stating there is "no evidence" he personally directs cartel operations. Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum also dismissed allegations linking Maduro to the Sinaloa Cartel, demanding: "If they have some evidence, show it." Domestically, Senate Democrats attempted to curb Trump's military actions by proposing a War Powers Resolution requiring congressional approval for strikes on Venezuela. However, the measure failed to pass. With U.S. bombers lingering near Venezuelan airspace and naval forces patrolling nearby waters, the risk of accidental escalation remains high. Analysts suggest the flights are primarily psychological warfare, but Venezuela has warned that any incursion could trigger a broader conflict. As both nations brace for further confrontation, the world watches to see whether this standoff will culminate in diplomatic de-escalation or war. Watch the video below about two American B-52 bombers heading to Diego Garcia island in the Chagos Archipelago. This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: DailyMail.co.uk OutKick.com BrightU.ai Newsweek.com Brighteon.com
Copy