<p>The US Navy on Wednesday deployed a warship off the coast of Venezuela to challenge what it called Caracas' "excessive maritime claim in international waters."</p>.<p>It was the second time in three weeks that the US Navy has carried out such a "freedom of navigation" operation, a move that Venezuela previously called a "provocation".</p>.<p>"Today, the US Navy Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Pinckney (DDG 91) challenged Venezuela's excessive maritime claim in international waters during a successful freedom of navigation operation in the Caribbean Sea," US Southern Command said in a statement.</p>.<p>On June 23, the Navy carried out a similar exercise, deploying the guided-missile destroyer USS Nitze off the Venezuelan coast.</p>.<p>The US Navy said the warship was operating in international waters, more than 12 miles off the coast, in compliance with international law.</p>.<p>"The illegitimate Maduro regime improperly claims excessive controls over those international waters, which extend three miles beyond the 12-mile territorial sea, a claim that is inconsistent with international law," US Southern Command said.</p>.<p>The USS Pinckney, together with other Navy and Coast Guard vessels, were in the Caribbean conducting counter-narcotics operations, it said.</p>.<p>"We will exercise our lawful right to freely navigate international waters without acquiescing to unlawful claims," said Navy Admiral Craig Faller, Commander of US Southern Command.</p>.<p>Washington does not recognize President Nicolas Maduro as Venezuela's legitimate leader, backing instead National Assembly speaker Juan Guaido, as do dozens of other countries.</p>
<p>The US Navy on Wednesday deployed a warship off the coast of Venezuela to challenge what it called Caracas' "excessive maritime claim in international waters."</p>.<p>It was the second time in three weeks that the US Navy has carried out such a "freedom of navigation" operation, a move that Venezuela previously called a "provocation".</p>.<p>"Today, the US Navy Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Pinckney (DDG 91) challenged Venezuela's excessive maritime claim in international waters during a successful freedom of navigation operation in the Caribbean Sea," US Southern Command said in a statement.</p>.<p>On June 23, the Navy carried out a similar exercise, deploying the guided-missile destroyer USS Nitze off the Venezuelan coast.</p>.<p>The US Navy said the warship was operating in international waters, more than 12 miles off the coast, in compliance with international law.</p>.<p>"The illegitimate Maduro regime improperly claims excessive controls over those international waters, which extend three miles beyond the 12-mile territorial sea, a claim that is inconsistent with international law," US Southern Command said.</p>.<p>The USS Pinckney, together with other Navy and Coast Guard vessels, were in the Caribbean conducting counter-narcotics operations, it said.</p>.<p>"We will exercise our lawful right to freely navigate international waters without acquiescing to unlawful claims," said Navy Admiral Craig Faller, Commander of US Southern Command.</p>.<p>Washington does not recognize President Nicolas Maduro as Venezuela's legitimate leader, backing instead National Assembly speaker Juan Guaido, as do dozens of other countries.</p>