US Boat Strikes Leave Remote Venezuelan State Living Under Fear and Heavy Surveillance

Post by : Saif Nasser

In the remote northeastern state of Sucre in Venezuela, daily life has become tense and uncertain after a series of U.S. strikes on suspected drug boats. Many residents say that ever since these attacks began, the area has been flooded with security patrols, intelligence agents, and ruling-party supporters. People who once lived quietly near the Caribbean coast now say they feel watched, frightened, and unsure of what will happen next.

The U.S. government carried out months of strikes targeting boats it claimed were used by drug cartels. More than 80 people have reportedly been killed in these operations off Venezuela’s coast and even in parts of the Pacific. Some of those killed came from Sucre, a region that lies close to the islands of Trinidad and Tobago. This state is one of the poorest in Venezuela, and around 60% of its population depends on government jobs to survive.

According to U.S. officials, the strikes were meant to weaken criminal groups, including those Washington says are linked to Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro. Maduro’s government denies any involvement in drug trafficking and accuses the U.S. of trying to force political change to gain control of Venezuela’s natural resources, especially its large oil reserves.

Families of some of the men killed in the strikes say their lives changed completely after the bombings. Two relatives, speaking anonymously because they fear retaliation, said police and members of Venezuela’s SEBIN intelligence agency came to their homes soon after the attacks. Their homes were searched, and they were warned not to post anything online about their loved ones. They said they have received no official information, no explanation, and no bodies to bury. Without funerals or answers, they continue to live with pain and confusion.

In the coastal town of Guiria, residents say the presence of security forces has sharply increased since mid-September, and even more in the last two weeks. People have seen patrols from SEBIN, the armed forces, national police, and the military counterintelligence agency DGCIM. Some officers wear uniforms, but many others are in plain clothes and use private-looking vehicles. Locals say they can tell these people do not belong to their community.

The DGCIM, which has been sanctioned by the United States and is under investigation by the International Criminal Court, has been accused by human rights groups of torture, abuse, and even extrajudicial killings. SEBIN, meanwhile, has long been known for monitoring journalists, opposition leaders, and anyone seen as a critic of the government.

A community leader in Guiria said patrols pass through the same streets again and again, at all hours. Earlier, security forces were present but not in such an aggressive or constant way. Now, he said, they seem to be everywhere.

A local merchant said that many patrols include “colectivos,” groups of ruling-party supporters on motorcycles who often accompany police on street surveillance. He said everything appears calm on the surface, but the constant monitoring has created fear and tension. Residents also reported checkpoints appearing in various areas, though it is often unclear which group is in charge of them.

The town’s economy, already weak, has suffered even more since the U.S. strikes. Guiria depends heavily on smuggling and informal trade with Trinidad and Tobago, including food, goods, and sometimes drugs. But now, locals say that no boats are leaving for the islands. Migrants are not departing, traders are not traveling, and those who once carried Venezuelan products to sell abroad have stopped completely. Shops only saw some movement recently because of small government bonus payments. Otherwise, people say there is almost no money circulating.

In Carupano, another coastal city, one resident who recently visited said DGCIM has set up a command center in a hotel in the nearby town of Rio Caribe. Because of the increased security presence, public spaces feel emptier, and people are choosing to stay home. He said the community knows that some of the people walking around in civilian clothing are intelligence agents. People avoid discussing sensitive topics because they fear someone might be listening.

What is happening in Sucre reflects a broader pattern in Venezuela, where surveillance and intelligence operations have become deeply rooted in daily life. For many residents in this troubled state, the combination of fear, silence, and economic struggle has created a heavy atmosphere. In a place once known for fishing, coastal trade, and strong community ties, people now live with uncertainty, hoping for relief but expecting more pressure.

The impact of the U.S. boat strikes has reached far beyond the sea. It has reshaped daily life on land, tightened government control, and left families grieving without answers. For the people of Sucre, the future remains unclear, and the fear of being watched has become a part of everyday life.

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