Venezuelan Minister of Defense Vladimir Padrino L贸pez issued a stern warning to Guyana and Trinidad on September 14th, stating that if they collaborate in any attacks, they "will receive an answer." The statement was reported within the past hour, specifically between 9:47 PM and 10:32 PM UTC. Padrino L贸pez's remarks come amid heightened regional military activity, including the previous observation of an unidentified aircraft near Venezuelan airspace and the return of a Venezuelan military transport aircraft, FAV-9508, to the El Libertador air base. In separate developments, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) released images allegedly showing Mohammed Shabana, a Hamas Rafah Brigade commander, dining lavishly during Ramadan last March while Gaza residents experienced food shortages. The IDF stated these images were found in a Hamas tunnel beneath the European Hospital and were intended to highlight leadership hoarding during perceived starvation campaigns. Previously, between 6:32 PM and 8:32 PM UTC on September 14th, the Venezuelan military transport aircraft FAV-9508, a C-30H Hercules, was tracked flying from the El Libertador air base to Orchila Island, returning by approximately 8:32 PM UTC. U.S. military presence in the Caribbean has also increased, with F-35B stealth fighter aircraft deployed to Puerto Rico alongside a significant naval deployment. Venezuelan Minister of Defense Vladimir Padrino L贸pez has previously commented on the increased presence of U.S. military aircraft in the Caribbean, noting frequent violations of operational norms due to a lack of flight plan notifications. The Dutch frigate HNLMS Van Amstel was also dispatched from Willemstad, Cura莽ao, on the morning of September 14th, its specific mission undisclosed. Unconfirmed reports also detailed extensive underground facilities at Maiquetia International Sim贸n Bol铆var Airport.
