Why All The Fuss?

[Clint45]

Rumor has it that the special announcement by Trump this evening is to announce a special military operation to denazify Venezuela.

Only mildly exaggerating.

Well, Maduro just announced his navy will be escorting tankers from now on.

[HoneyBadger]

Well, Maduro just announced his navy will be escorting tankers from now on.

That's cute.

[HoneyBadger]

And then there is China's vast fishing fleet. allegedly being used for paramilitary activities... the world is a mess right now because "interesting times," lol.

Hardly just alleged. It's a real thing and they have been actively involved in spying and "grey zone" activities that bully and punish anyone that opposes China's expansionism, especially in the South China Sea.

Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maritime_Militia

I asked Grok "What sort of hostile activities has the PAFMM engaged in, especially against the Philippines?"

The People's Armed Forces Maritime Militia (PAFMM), also known as China's Maritime Militia, is a paramilitary force of civilian fishing vessels crewed by trained personnel under direct military command. It operates alongside the China Coast Guard (CCG) and People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) to advance China's territorial claims in the South China Sea through "gray zone" tactics?coercive actions below the threshold of armed conflict.

These tactics include swarming disputed features to establish presence, harassing foreign vessels, blocking access, and occasional ramming or shouldering. The PAFMM provides plausible deniability as "fishing boats" while supporting sovereignty assertions.

Activities Against the Philippines:
The PAFMM has been involved in numerous incidents targeting Philippine vessels, fishermen, and features in the West Philippine Sea (Philippines' exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea), often in coordination with the CCG.
Key examples include:

- Scarborough Shoal (2012): PAFMM vessels helped coordinate the standoff that resulted in China seizing effective control of the shoal from the Philippines, denying Filipino fishermen access ever since.

- Mischief Reef (1995): PAFMM involvement in China's occupation and development of the reef, leading to a major incident with the Philippines.

- Second Thomas Shoal (2014 and ongoing): PAFMM participated in blockades of Philippine resupply missions to the grounded BRP Sierra Madre, including harassment and interdiction of supply boats.

- Whitsun Reef (2021 and later): Swarms of over 200 PAFMM vessels occupied the reef within the Philippine EEZ, prompting diplomatic protests; similar swarming occurred in 2023 with 135+ vessels.

- Sabina Shoal (2024?2025): Record surges, including 203 PAFMM vessels in one week (August?September 2024), amid standoffs; vessels supported CCG ramming of Philippine ships and harassment.

General harassment:
Frequent dangerous maneuvers, blocking, and shadowing of Philippine coast guard, fisheries, and fishing vessels at features like Thitu Island, Rozul Reef, and Scarborough Shoal. Examples include sideswiping fisheries vessels (2024), swarming to deter aid missions (2024?2025), and grounding with environmental damage (e.g., 2025 incident near Pag-asa Island using a parachute anchor on coral).

Ramming and collisions: PAFMM vessels have deliberately rammed or sideswiped Philippine boats, such as fisheries vessels near Thitu Island (2024) and resupply missions.

While laser incidents (e.g., 2023 blinding of crew at Second Thomas Shoal, 2024?2025 against aircraft) and most water cannon attacks are primarily attributed to the CCG, PAFMM vessels often operate in tandem, providing swarms for intimidation and support.
These actions violate the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal ruling (which invalidated China's expansive claims) and international law, according to Philippine, U.S., and independent analyses. China denies the PAFMM's paramilitary role, claiming vessels are civilian fishermen sheltering from weather.
Overall, the PAFMM's hostile activities focus on asserting de facto control over disputed areas, harassing Philippine operations, and deterring fishing/resupply without escalating to open warfare.