Trinidad and Tobago to open Caribbean nation's airports to U.S. military as Venezuela tensions grow

A JetBlue passenger plane took evasive action to avoid a mid-air collision with a US Air Force aircraft flying with its transponder turned off near Venezuela. The incident occurred during the flight's ascent, raising significant safety concerns as the military aircraft crossed its path, complicating air traffic control communications.

Venezuela has accused Trinidad and Tobago of collaborating with the United States in the recent seizure of an oil tanker off its coast, an action described by the Maduro regime as theft of Venezuelan oil. This incident follows a broader pressure campaign by the Trump administration against Nicolás Maduro's government, escalating tensions in the region.

A JetBlue flight from Curaçao narrowly avoided a midair collision with a U.S. Air Force tanker near Venezuela. The pilot reported that the military aircraft crossed his path during ascent, leading to a halt in the flight's climb to prevent a potential disaster.

Republican Rep. Mike Turner, the former chair of the House Intelligence Committee, criticized the Trump administration for failing to communicate its objectives regarding Venezuela to Congress, stating that the president has not been clear on the matter. This lack of communication raises concerns about the administration's strategy in dealing with the ongoing crisis in Venezuela.

A JetBlue flight from Curaçao narrowly avoided a midair collision with a U.S. Air Force refueling tanker near Venezuela on December 14, 2025. The pilot reported that the military aircraft crossed his path, complicating the flight's ascent and raising significant safety concerns.

A JetBlue flight departing from Curaçao narrowly avoided a midair collision with a US Air Force tanker near Venezuela. The incident raised concerns as the tanker reportedly did not have its transponder activated, complicating air traffic control communications.

President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. Coast Guard has seized a large Venezuelan oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, marking a significant escalation in U.S. military operations in the region. This action is part of the Trump administration's ongoing pressure campaign against the Venezuelan government led by Nicolás Maduro.

The Trump administration has escalated its confrontation with Venezuela by seizing a sanctioned oil tanker named Skipper, which was en route to Cuba. This action is part of a broader strategy to increase pressure on President Nicolás Maduro's regime, which has faced ongoing criticism from U.S. officials for its governance and human rights record.