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	U.S. Navy Conducts Freedom of Navigation Operation, Contests Venezuela’s Excessive Maritime Claim in Caribbean Sea
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        <h1 class="title">U.S. Navy Conducts Freedom of Navigation Operation, Contests Venezuela’s Excessive Maritime Claim in Caribbean Sea</h1>
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                 alt="The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Nitze (DDG 94) departs Safaga, Egypt after a port visit, July 20, 2019."
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            <div class="image-title">190720-N-RG171-1009</div>
            <div class="image-caption">FILE PHOTO: The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Nitze (DDG 94) departs Safaga, Egypt after a port visit, July 20, 2019.  On June 23, 2020, while peacefully operating in the Caribbean Sea, USS Nitze conducted a freedom of navigation operation, contesting an excessive maritime claim by Venezuela.  (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Will Hardy/Released)</div>
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    <div> <span class="date">/ Published June 23, 2020</span></div>
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    <p><strong>CARIBBEAN SEA</strong><strong> –</strong> Today, while peacefully operating in the Caribbean Sea, the U.S. Navy Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Nitze (DDG 94) conducted a freedom of navigation operation, contesting an excessive maritime claim by Venezuela.</p>

<p>The U.S. Navy ship conducted the operation in international waters outside Venezuela’s 12 nautical-mile territorial jurisdiction. During the operation, the ship lawfully navigated an area the illegitimate Maduro regime falsely claims to have control over, a claim that is inconsistent with international law.</p>

<p>The U.S. Navy routinely conducts freedom of navigation operations around the world to preserve the maritime navigation and access rights guaranteed to all nations and vital to the global mobility of U.S. forces.</p>

<p>Global access to international waters protects U.S. national interests, promotes a just international order, and ensures the U.S. Navy can accomplish key missions, including humanitarian assistance deployments, disaster relief operations, support to international counter-narcotics efforts, and multinational exercises that strengthen regional partnerships.</p>

<p>U.S. Navy and Coast Guard ships are currently operating in the Caribbean as part of the President’s enhanced counter narcotics operation.</p>

<p>“The United States will continue to fly, sail and operate wherever international law allows, preserving the rights, freedoms and lawful use of the sea and airspace guaranteed to all nations,” said Adm. Craig Faller, Commander of U.S. Southern Command. “These freedoms are the bedrock of ongoing security efforts, and essential to regional peace and stability.”</p>

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<p>Fact file, U.S. Navy Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer: https://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=4200&tid=900&ct=4</p>
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