when world war ii began, the venezuelan military was badly in need of modernization, and the united states was eager to help in return for venezuela's support in the war. however, the united states was concerned about a possible enemy attack on venezuela, in order to disrupt oil production, if it did openly join the allied cause and declare war. as result, the venezuelan government broke relations with the axis powers on december 31, 1941, but it did not declare war until february 15, 1945, when the threat of an attack against the oil was gone. therefore, the venezuelan military never met the enemy on the battlefield, although under the operation neuland a few venezuelan merchant ships were sunk; the first of which called "monagas" occurred during the german attack on aruba in february 1942.