Venezuela's Minister of Defense, Vladimir Padrino, stated on Wednesday that the country's Armed Forces have "undeniably" and "irrevocably Venezuelan" intercepted a foreign scientific vessel in its waters, as reported by Europa Press.
"A very suspicious ship, painted gray, with military nomenclature as well, and the ship is not military," highlighted the minister about the vessel in a speech during an event honoring officers with 30 years of active service, shared by the Army on social media.
The ship, located by the maritime military authorities at 50 miles (nautical, 92.6 kilometers) from the Orinoco Delta, has been boarded and towed by the Navy to a Venezuelan port for inspection "despite all the resistance put up by the crew," Padrino assured.
"They are already reaching the mouths of the Orinoco," lamented the minister, who rhetorically asked, "Are we going to allow that", seconds before applauding the military response.