Trump signals possible land strikes in Venezuela over drug operations

(MENAFN) US President Donald Trump suggested on Friday that land-based strikes against alleged Venezuela-linked drug operations could begin “pretty soon,” while asserting that maritime narcotics trafficking has been largely halted. Venezuela has denied any involvement with drug cartels.

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump claimed that Venezuela-linked maritime drug trafficking has fallen by 92% and that US forces are “knocking out drugs at levels that nobody’s ever seen before.” He added, “We knocked out 96% of the drugs coming in by water,” and later said, “It's going to be starting on land pretty soon.” The president did not provide specifics regarding targets or the scale of potential operations.

Since September, US forces have increased their presence in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, carrying out over 20 strikes on suspected drug vessels, which have resulted in dozens of deaths.

Trump has argued that these operations have prevented tens of thousands of narcotics-related deaths in the US.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has consistently rejected allegations of the country’s involvement in drug trafficking, accusing the US of using the anti-drug campaign as a pretext to overthrow his government.

This week, US authorities also seized the oil tanker Skipper near Venezuelan waters, a vessel allegedly transporting oil from Venezuela and Iran. Caracas condemned the action, calling it “blatant theft” and “criminal naval piracy.”

Meanwhile, Russia, which maintains strong ties with Venezuela, publicly backed Maduro.

According to reports, President Vladimir Putin “expressed solidarity with the people of Venezuela and reaffirmed his support for the Maduro government’s resolve to defend national interests and sovereignty against foreign pressure.” The two leaders also reiterated their commitment to a strategic partnership agreement signed in May.

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