Venezuelan fishermen in the coastal state of Falcón say security crackdowns by President Nicolás Maduro's government are posing a greater threat to their safety and livelihood than recent U.S. airstrikes on suspected drug-trafficking vessels off the country's coast, according to a new investigation published by local outlet Efecto Cocuyo.
The report comes as U.S. forces in the Caribbean continue to carry out a series of lethal strikes on boats Washington alleges were engaged in narcotics trafficking. The campaign has killed more than 50 people since September and forms part of a broader naval deployment that includes the USS Gerald R. Ford.
The operations have heightened tensions with Caracas and triggered a sweeping domestic response from Venezuelan authorities along the country's northwestern coast.
But fishermen interviewed by Efecto Cocuyo say the biggest danger is not coming from U.S. warships. "The threat is here," said Francisco, a fisherman from El Cayude in Falcón, who asked that his real name not be used for fear of reprisals. "We don't see the Americans. But police and soldiers are here doing combat exercises, arming the community and carrying out operations where we fishermen end up involved. And we have nothing to do with it."
According to the report, on September 7 — just five days after a Venezuelan vessel was destroyed in a U.S. strike — officers from Venezuela's National Guard anti-drug command seized four outboard motors from local fishermen in El Cayude. Residents gathered to demand their return, only to be told they would need to retrieve the equipment at a nearby National Guard base.
Days later, the engines appeared in an official video posted by regional military command ZODI Falcón as part of "Operación Cacique Manaure," which authorities said was aimed at dismantling alleged drug-trafficking infrastructure. The video claimed security forces had uncovered a clandestine airstrip, an improvised dock, four boats, four outboard motors, and 25 fuel containers. The fishermen say the "evidence" included their confiscated motors.
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Others described a wave of arrests they say are baseless. At least five fishermen from nearby coastal communities were detained in recent weeks and later presented as drug traffickers, according to relatives. They insist the men are innocent and accuse authorities of staging "falsos positivos" — false positives — in which innocent people are labeled as criminals.
Residents told Efecto Cocuyo that raids often unfold at night, without warrants or prosecutors present. In Las Cumaraguas, community members blocked a road on October 21 to protest the arrests. "We are not refusing procedures, but they must be done under the law," said local justice official Carolina Urbina.
Even fishermen farther east in Tiguadare say they no longer sleep in seaside shelters, fearing nighttime raids. The small settlement, already struggling with extreme poverty and oil-pipeline spills, relies on only two working boats. "After the U.S. commotion near Venezuela, now they call us criminals," said one resident.
Locals say requests for help from regional and municipal authorities have gone unanswered, and some accuse security forces of extortion. Signs at protests read: "We want law, not abuse. We want order, not fear."
While fishermen acknowledge the U.S. presence offshore, they say the more immediate danger comes from Venezuelan authorities on land. "The Venezuelan government is looking for culprits here," one resident said. "We live off fishing. We just want peace."
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