Caldas Corvette crisis: Patriots defended the sovereignty of the Gulf of Venezuela (+38 years old)

Published at: 09/08/2025 09:00 AM

On August 9, 1987, the then Colombian government provoked a conflict in the Gulf of Venezuela, historically known as the Caldas Corvette Crisis, where patriots courageously defended the country's maritime sovereignty.

The morning of that day, the ARC Caldas de Colombia Corvette was detected by the Venezuelan patrol boat ARV Libertad south of the Castilletes Parallel and heading east, in the direction of Punto Fijo. The patriots order the representatives of the neighboring country to withdraw from the territory; but they refuse. The Venezuelan government at the time sent F16 with the objective of supporting the maritime patrol.

According to what was published on the news portal of Ciudad Barquisimeto, Captain Sergio García, of the ship from Granada, claims: “we feel threatened with planes, I think they are F16s that make low passes for us”. To which the captain of the Venezuelan vessel, Alfredo Castañeda Giral, responds firmly and categorically: “we who feel threatened are us with your presence in Venezuelan jurisdictional waters, so I order you once again to proceed north, the Navy and the FAV will do what is necessary to maintain our sovereignty.”

The Colombian warrior action comes to an end on August 18, when the Venezuelan upper government gives an ultimatum to the Colombian government: Attack the units present in the national territory. The president of New Granada makes the decision to withdraw water units from Venezuela.

38 years after this event, the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB) remains firm, loyal and in permanent defense of the Homeland.

Mazo News Team