The U.S. flew two F/A-18 fighter jets over the Gulf of Venezuela on Tuesday, marking the closest known approach of U.S. aircraft to Venezuelan airspace.

A U.S. defense official called it a routine training flight and emphasized that the jets stayed in international airspace.

This mission comes after months of increased U.S. military activity following strikes on suspected drug-smuggling vessels.

Earlier flights involving B-52 and B-1 bombers had not flown as close to Venezuelan territory, Fox News has reported.

The heightened presence follows rising tensions, including U.S. warnings to airlines about the region and concerns over Venezuela’s air and naval defenses.