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 fish again in the evening. However, this daily task is now laden with fear. After 13 years as a fisherman, Mr. Fernández admits that he now fears his job could turn lethal. His concerns are no longer just from potential nighttime attacks, which are not uncommon, but rather the threat of US military strikes.
It's crazy, man, he says regarding the deployment of US military assets including warships and fighter jets in the Caribbean, just north of Venezuela's coast.
The US operations are described as a military initiative targeting alleged 'narco-terrorists' associated with the Nicolás Maduro-led government. Since last month, there have been at least six airstrikes against suspected drug-running boats, resulting in multiple casualties, stirring fears of collateral damage among local fishermen.
While the US states that those targeted were engaged in drug smuggling, evidence remains thin, prompting concerns about the legality of these operations under international law. The tensions escalated further with US President Donald Trump suggesting potential strikes on Venezuelan territory and covert CIA actions.
The ramifications for local fishermen like Mr. Fernández are grave. His wife advises him to abandon fishing due to the growing dangers, but he feels trapped with no alternatives for employment. Of course it worries me, you never know. I think about it every day, he states, a sentiment echoed by his colleagues who are now hesitant to venture out to sea.
The fear of strikes is coupled with pre-existing risks in their profession, like piracy and oil spills, compounding their plight in an industry that is vital for the livelihood of over 115,000 people in Venezuela. As some fishermen refuse to go out fishing due to fears of US intervention, others express defiance, with protests against US military presence showcasing their challenges and resilience in the face of an uncertain future.
The situation is intricate and continues to evolve, as both local communities and international relations become increasingly intertwined in this complex narrative involving security, sovereignty, and survival.
It's crazy, man, he says regarding the deployment of US military assets including warships and fighter jets in the Caribbean, just north of Venezuela's coast.
The US operations are described as a military initiative targeting alleged 'narco-terrorists' associated with the Nicolás Maduro-led government. Since last month, there have been at least six airstrikes against suspected drug-running boats, resulting in multiple casualties, stirring fears of collateral damage among local fishermen.
While the US states that those targeted were engaged in drug smuggling, evidence remains thin, prompting concerns about the legality of these operations under international law. The tensions escalated further with US President Donald Trump suggesting potential strikes on Venezuelan territory and covert CIA actions.
The ramifications for local fishermen like Mr. Fernández are grave. His wife advises him to abandon fishing due to the growing dangers, but he feels trapped with no alternatives for employment. Of course it worries me, you never know. I think about it every day, he states, a sentiment echoed by his colleagues who are now hesitant to venture out to sea.
The fear of strikes is coupled with pre-existing risks in their profession, like piracy and oil spills, compounding their plight in an industry that is vital for the livelihood of over 115,000 people in Venezuela. As some fishermen refuse to go out fishing due to fears of US intervention, others express defiance, with protests against US military presence showcasing their challenges and resilience in the face of an uncertain future.
The situation is intricate and continues to evolve, as both local communities and international relations become increasingly intertwined in this complex narrative involving security, sovereignty, and survival.
