a Venezuelan Navy fleet consisting of two patrol boats and one transport boat were sent to take control of the island with a group of soldiers. On June 2, 1978, the Venezuelan Navy were sent to set up a scientific naval base named Simón Bolívar on the lee (west) side near the southern tip of the island, constructed as a platform built on stilts partially in the water, which was permanently inhabited by a group of scientists and military personnel. United States—Venezuela Maritime Boundary Treaty On March 28, 1978, Venezuela, using Aves Island as its reference, agreed to its maritime borders with the U.S. between Aves Island and Puerto Rico in the United States–Venezuela Maritime Boundary Treaty; this treaty came into force on 24 November 1980 after it was ratified by both parties. The island is the closest Venezuelan territory to the United States, approximately from the U.S. island of St. Croix. Agreement with France On June 17, 1980, Venezuela agreed with France that longitude 62°48′52″ W should be the maritime boundary between Aves Island and Guadeloupe and Martinique. 2006 Dominica and Venezuela informal agreement During a visit to Venezuela, Dominica’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, in June 2006, stated that Aves Island belongs to Venezuela, ending the territorial claim. Historical maps See also Ankoko Island (another disputed territory involving Venezuela) Exclusive economic zone Federal Dependencies of Venezuela List of marine molluscs of Venezuela List of sponges of Venezuela List of territorial disputes References External links Bird Island: time to act Editorial on the Commonwealth of Dominica taking steps to reclaim sovereignty over the island. 2006 amateur radio activity, including pictures YW0A 4M5DX Group Amateur Radio DX Pedition to Aves Island 2014 YX0V Amateur Radio DX Pedition Aves Island 2016 Articles and papers "Island' talk for Caricom, Venezuela (July 7, 2006) Barbados NationNews OECS searching for Bird Island solution (March 16, 2006) Caribbean Net News Shock over Bird Island (November 10, 2005) Barbados Advocate News Drama over Bird Island (November 10, 2005) Barbados Advocate News OECS raps Caracas' claim to island (November 9, 2005) Barbados NationNews Caricom to meet over Aves Island (October 24, 2005) Barbados NationNews History proves Venezuelan ownership of Isla de Aves VicePresident Rangel thinks that the "empire" is behind claim to Aves Island IUCN Category IV Federal Dependencies of Venezuela Islands of the West Caribbean Aves Territorial disputes of Venezuela Bird Island Uninhabited islands of Venezuela Extreme