A U.S. Navy MQ-4C Triton drone completed its fifth surveillance mission near Venezuelan territory early Tuesday morning. This activity signals continued monitoring by Washington of strategic objectives within the country following the capture of Nicolás Maduro.
Continued Surveillance
FlightRadar24 data indicates the drone initially departed from the Naval Air Station Jacksonville, but its transponder activated only after it was south of Puerto Rico – an unusual pattern compared to previous missions. During the operation, the MQ-4C Triton digitally camouflaged itself as a P-8A Poseidon, a maritime patrol aircraft commonly used by the U.S. Armed forces.
The drone flew over the northern part of the Paraguaná Peninsula in Falcón state and then moved towards the northern part of the Paria Peninsula in Sucre state. Much of the flight path occurred within the Maiquetía Flight Information Region (FIR), located in La Guaira state. The mission lasted approximately eight hours, beginning at 11:24 a.m. Local time.
Technical indicators confirm the aircraft was not a P-8A Poseidon. Even as the drone used the identification of a P-8A, its flight parameters—reaching over 48,000 feet (14.63 kilometers)—exceed the P-8A Poseidon’s operational ceiling of approximately 41,000 feet (12.5 kilometers). Only the MQ-4C Triton can reach such altitudes.
This drone has completed at least four prior confirmed missions since the start of “Operation Absolute Resolution,” which resulted in the capture of Maduro by order of U.S. President Donald Trump. The ongoing aerial activity suggests the U.S. Is maintaining surveillance of strategic areas in eastern and western Venezuela as a political transition unfolds following Maduro’s arrest.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of aircraft is the MQ-4C Triton?
The MQ-4C Triton is an American high-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) used for surveillance and reconnaissance.
Where did the recent mission take place?
The mission covered areas over the northern parts of the Paraguaná and Paria Peninsulas in Venezuela, within the Maiquetía Flight Information Region.
How long did the mission last?
The mission lasted approximately eight hours, beginning at 11:24 a.m. Local time.
As Venezuela navigates a period of political transition, what role might continued aerial surveillance play in shaping regional stability?
