Trump might carry out attacks against drug cartels in Venezuelan
(MENAFN) US President Donald Trump is reportedly considering military strikes against drug cartels operating in Venezuela, CNN reported Friday, citing sources familiar with the matter.
The deliberations coincide with the Pentagon’s deployment of at least eight warships and a submarine to the eastern Caribbean. CNN noted that Tuesday’s missile strike on a boat allegedly smuggling drugs from Venezuela marked an initial step in Trump’s broader efforts to combat regional drug trafficking and potentially target Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
During his first term, the US imposed extensive sanctions on Venezuela, focusing on its oil industry and financial sector. Recently, Attorney General Pam Bondi doubled the reward for information leading to Maduro’s arrest to $50 million.
While Trump denied seeking regime change, he called Venezuela’s 2024 presidential election “very strange.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that the US intends to “take on drug cartels wherever they are.”
Venezuelan President Maduro rejected accusations of drug trafficking involvement and warned that his country would defend itself, calling Venezuela a “republic in arms” if attacked. He also compared US claims against his government to the unfounded justification for the 2003 Iraq invasion, stating, “Just as it wasn’t true that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction, what they’re saying about Venezuela isn’t true either.”
The deliberations coincide with the Pentagon’s deployment of at least eight warships and a submarine to the eastern Caribbean. CNN noted that Tuesday’s missile strike on a boat allegedly smuggling drugs from Venezuela marked an initial step in Trump’s broader efforts to combat regional drug trafficking and potentially target Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
During his first term, the US imposed extensive sanctions on Venezuela, focusing on its oil industry and financial sector. Recently, Attorney General Pam Bondi doubled the reward for information leading to Maduro’s arrest to $50 million.
While Trump denied seeking regime change, he called Venezuela’s 2024 presidential election “very strange.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that the US intends to “take on drug cartels wherever they are.”
Venezuelan President Maduro rejected accusations of drug trafficking involvement and warned that his country would defend itself, calling Venezuela a “republic in arms” if attacked. He also compared US claims against his government to the unfounded justification for the 2003 Iraq invasion, stating, “Just as it wasn’t true that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction, what they’re saying about Venezuela isn’t true either.”
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