[12] Naiguatá sank following the collision, with RCGS Resolute informing the international Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) of the incident and offering assistance.

[13] Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro accused the captain of the cruise ship of "piracy" and "terrorism",[14] adding later that he did not rule out that RCGS Resolute was "carrying mercenaries to attack onshore military bases".

[17] However, according to the Portuguese after-incident investigation, Naiguatá's heading just before the collision with RCGS Resolute may have been caused by a suction effect between the vessels as the faster patrol boat passed the bow of the cruise ship.

Thus, while the collision may have not been intentional ramming, the conclusion was nonetheless that the incident that led to the sinking of Naiguatá was a deliberate act initiated by the Venezuelan Navy rather than an accidental occurrence.

After drifting closer to the Venezuelan coast on the following day, RCGS Resolute had resumed sailing west for about 90 minutes until the ship had passed La Tortuga Island and then continued adrift to a westerly direction while the starboard main engine turbocharger was being serviced.

[18] At around 01:05 local time, Naiguatá approached RCGS Resolute from the starboard quarter and, after suddenly changing course to port, collided with the bow of the cruise ship.

Although the collision may have not been intentional ramming, the conclusion was nonetheless that the incident that led to the sinking of Naiguatá was a deliberate act initiated by the Venezuelan Navy rather than an accidental occurrence.