A Venezuelan Navy amphibious transport ship, the Capana (ARV T-61), partially sank off the country’s northern coast after running aground during a military exercise, according to unofficial reports and social media images.

The incident occurred near Cumarebo in Falcón state, leaving the forward section submerged and the ship heavily listing.

Per reports, the vessel suffered structural damage that could make it inoperable, with the hull appearing severely affected. No official statement has been issued by Venezuela’s Ministry of Defence or the Bolivarian Navy regarding the ship’s condition or the status of its roughly 300 crew members.

The Capana was built in South Korea in 1983 and commissioned into Venezuelan service in 1984. It underwent a major refit between 2020 and 2023 at state-owned shipyards with technical support from UCOCAR, receiving upgrades to propulsion, communications, navigation systems, hull integrity, weaponry, and crew accommodations. The ship had recently been reassigned to the Amphibious Reaction Unit in Zulia state.

🛑🚢Buque del régimen encalla frente a las costas de Falcón 🇻🇪

⚓ El transporte Capana ARV T-61, perteneciente a la Armada del régimen, encalló y comenzó a hacer agua cerca de Cumarebo, estado Falcón, según videos difundidos en redes sociales.

📹 Las imágenes muestran el casco… pic.twitter.com/pgUyfZk3Vy

— EVTV (@EVTVMiami) October 16, 2025

The grounding occurred amid heightened military activities ordered by President Nicolás Maduro, who recently expanded Plan Independencia 200, a series of readiness drills and troop movements along Venezuela’s borders and coastline.

These exercises coincided with US military deployments to the Caribbean, including B-52 bombers conducting flyovers near Venezuelan airspace. Venezuelan authorities described these operations as provocations and urged Latin American nations to oppose potential escalation in the region.

Unofficial sources and opposition channels reported that the Capana ran aground during a coastal manoeuvre, causing flooding in the forward section and a loss of buoyancy.

Online videos show water reaching the ship’s hull markings, indicating serious flooding. There has been no official confirmation of casualties or injuries, and no information on rescue or repair efforts has been released.

The Capana is a Capana-Alligator–class landing ship, designed to transport troops, vehicles, and military equipment, with the ability to disembark directly onto beaches without port facilities. The ship is approximately 100 metres long, displaces around 4,000 tonnes, and can carry about 100 troops.

References: latintimes, Carro e Motos