Venezuelan authorities have condemned what they describe as an unauthorised US military operation near the country's Caribbean waters, with officials in Caracas calling the incident a serious breach of international aviation law.

Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino said on October 2 that radar systems had tracked five American F-35 combat aircraft at high altitude approximately 75 kilometres off earlier the same day.

"They are combat aircraft. Combat aircraft that US imperialism has dared to approach the Venezuelan coast," Padrino said in remarks broadcast on state television.

The incident comes just days after Venezuela activated extraordinary constitutional measures granting President Nicolás Maduro sweeping security powers amid escalating tensions with Washington over an American military build-up in the Caribbean.

Caracas invoked a "State of External Commotion" on September 29, empowering Maduro to mobilise armed forces nationwide and assert control over critical infrastructure, including the vital oil industry. The emergency decree, valid for 90 days with a possible extension, followed reports that the Pentagon may be considering military strikes inside Venezuela targeting alleged drug-trafficking operations.

Foreign Minister Yván Gil said on social media that the jet incursion "constitutes a provocation that threatens national sovereignty" and violates international law and the Convention on International Civil Aviation. He added that the operation "put at risk" aviation safety in the Caribbean Sea.

Venezuelan officials said the jets were flying at 35,000 feet at speeds of 400 knots when they were picked up by monitoring equipment covering the Maiquetía flight information region, which extends northward over the Caribbean into international airspace.

According to Padrino, pilots aboard a commercial aircraft also informed air traffic control that they had visually identified the American warplanes during the incident.

The confrontation marks the latest flashpoint between the two governments following Washington's decision to increase its naval footprint in Caribbean waters. Whilst American officials justify the deployment as part of anti-narcotics efforts, Venezuelan authorities contend it represents an attempt to unseat the Chavista regime.

In recent operations, US forces have attacked at least four vessels, resulting in the deaths of more than a dozen individuals identified as suspected drug traffickers, though Washington has not released evidence to substantiate the characterisations.

The Trump administration has repeatedly accused Maduro of leading the alleged "Cartel de los Soles" criminal group and collaborating with Mexican cartels to supply cocaine to the United States. In August, Washington doubled its bounty for information leading to his arrest to $50mn.

Padrino described the F-35 deployment as unprecedented, noting the aircraft are based in Puerto Rico.

According to the Pentagon, at least five F-35s were sent to Puerto Rico in mid-September. White House sources cited by CNN previously indicated plans to station 10 of the advanced fighters on the island, where US Marine units have been practising amphibious assault techniques.

The Venezuelan defence minister issued a stark warning to American officials. "Don't make that mistake," he said, adding, "We are watching you. And I want you to know that this does not intimidate us."

Venezuelan military forces have already begun conducting training exercises with civilian militia members in preparation for what officials describe as a possible American invasion. 

Caracas announced plans to lodge formal protests with multiple international bodies, including the UN Security Council, the International Civil Aviation Organisation, and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States.

In its official statement, Venezuela demanded that US Defence Secretary Peter Hegseth halt what it termed dangerous actions that threaten regional peace in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Venezuelan forces will maintain heightened readiness to protect the nation's airspace and territorial waters, the defence ministry said.

Despite the military brinkmanship, Maduro has privately sought reconciliation with the Trump administration. In a letter dated September 6 to Special Envoy Richard Grenell, the Venezuelan leader called for a meeting with the US diplomat and denied involvement in drug trafficking, calling the allegations "fake news" and proposing "direct and frank conversations."

Grenell, who has met with Maduro several times this year to negotiate prisoner exchanges and migrant repatriations, has publicly advocated for de-escalation. However, influential administration hawks spearheaded by Secretary of State Marco Rubio reject dialogue and are said to be pushing for regime change, potentially through military means.