A widely shared video that claims to capture a radio exchange between the Venezuelan patrol Guaiquerí, commanded by Capt. Yonaiker Bermúdez, and the U.S. Navy destroyer USS Jason Durham is not genuine. The clip’s creator publicly acknowledged the footage was made as a parody and said it had "gone around the world as if it were real."
What We Checked
We examined the original post, subsequent posts by the same account, and the creator’s own statements. The earliest known share of the clip appeared on Dec. 16, 2025, on the X account @warsurveillance. That post presented the footage as breaking news and implied Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro had ordered the Guaiquerí to move against the U.S. destroyer.
🚨 BREAKING | 🇻🇪🇺🇸
Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro has reportedly ordered the naval patrol Guaiquerí, commanded by Captain Yonaiker Bermúdez, to move against the US Navy destroyer USS Jason Durham.
Tensions Are Surging Fast In The Caribbean Sea. The Situation Is Extremely Volatile. 🌊🔥
Key Findings
Creator Admitted It Was A Parody: The user who made the clip later stated on social media that it was intended as a parody and expressed surprise that it circulated as if real.
Follow-Up Post Confirmed Joke Tone: The same account posted a second short clip framed as a requested "second part." That follow-up was jokey in tone and even misspelled the destroyer’s name as "Dunham," underscoring its non-serious intent.
Image Source: Lead Stories screenshot from x.com/HeverCastroB.
No Verifiable Evidence Supports The Claim: Beyond the viral clip and the account’s captions, there is no credible evidence that an actual radio exchange occurred or that Captain Bermúdez was ordered to confront the USS Jason Durham.
Why This Matters
Misinformation that mimics military incidents can quickly inflame tensions and mislead international audiences. Parody or fabricated clips that travel without clear labeling may be mistaken for real events — especially during moments of heightened geopolitical concern.
How To Spot Similar Fakes
- Check the original poster’s account and look for clarifying comments or admissions.
- Look for official statements from the armed forces or government agencies involved.
- Watch for telltale signs: poor audio editing, comedic captions, misspellings, or disclaimers posted later.
Bottom Line: The video purporting to show a conversation between the Venezuelan patrol Guaiquerí and the U.S. destroyer USS Jason Durham is a parody, not verifiable evidence of an actual naval incident.
