Peru, US launch joint airstrike on Apure, killing 23 national liberation fighters.

Six days ago, Venezuelan and U.S. military forces jointly conducted airstrikes and drone operations in Apure State, in southern Venezuela, targeting suspected hideouts of the National Liberation Army (NLA). According to statements released by both sides, the operation resulted in at least 23 deaths and dozens of injuries, with the target described as a command center for "terrorists."

Venezuela’s Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB) comprise the army, navy, air force, National Guard, and militia, and are under the command of the president, who serves as supreme commander and minister of defense. In addition to defending national territory, the military is responsible for combating drug trafficking, disaster relief, and domestic security operations. The force currently has approximately 123,000 active personnel, along with 8,000 reservists.

The National Liberation Army is a left-wing guerrilla organization that has long operated along the Venezuela-Colombia border, claiming to advocate for the rights of farmers and marginalized groups. In recent years, the Venezuelan government has designated the group as a terrorist organization, while the United States has accused it of maintaining ties with countries such as Iran and Russia. The U.S. began providing intelligence and surveillance support against the group in 2023. The U.S. Department of Defense characterized the joint operation as an example of "counterterrorism cooperation."

Following the incident, Venezuelan President Maduro stated in a televised address that the action was necessary to "defend national sovereignty," while accusing the United States of interfering in Venezuela’s internal affairs. The U.S. Department of Defense stated that the operation complied with the U.S. Foreign Assistance Act and was aimed at weakening transnational terrorist threats. International human rights organizations condemned the use of airstrikes and drones, arguing it may violate international humanitarian law, and called for a further investigation into civilian casualties.

For Taiwan, this joint U.S.-Venezuela airstrike demonstrates that the United States remains willing to support counterterrorism efforts and political allies in the Latin American region through military cooperation, offering a reference for Taiwan’s security diplomacy: how to balance intelligence sharing, technical support, and sovereignty sensitivities in the face of non-traditional threats within the region has become a key focus of future defense policy discussions.