United States President Donald Trump has declared an escalation in America's campaign against suspected Venezuelan drug traffickers, warning that military operations will soon extend from maritime to land-based actions.
Maritime Strikes Set the Stage
The announcement comes just days after the US government formally designated Venezuela's Cartel de los Soles as a foreign terrorist organization. Over recent months, American forces have significantly intensified their maritime efforts, conducting at least 21 strikes on boats allegedly transporting narcotics toward American shores.
Venezuelan authorities have strongly denied any involvement in drug trafficking and characterize these attacks, which have resulted in more than 80 fatalities, as outright murder. The Venezuelan government maintains that the US has failed to provide photographic evidence supporting claims that the targeted vessels were carrying illegal drugs.
Trump's Thanksgiving Declaration
While addressing military service members during a Thanksgiving call, President Trump revealed plans to substantially increase the American response. "You probably noticed that people aren't wanting to be delivering by sea, and we'll be starting to stop them by land also," the President stated.
He added, "The land is easier, but that's going to start very soon. We warned them to stop sending poison to our country."
Military Buildup and Designations
The US military deployment includes America's most advanced aircraft carrier among the ships positioned in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific as part of Operation Southern Spear. The Pentagon has sought to legitimize the strikes by officially classifying drug gangs as foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs), a designation typically reserved for groups like al Qaeda and Hamas.
This week, the US formally labeled the Cartel de los Soles (Cartel of the Suns) as an FTO, asserting that the organization is led by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and other high-ranking officials within his administration. Another Venezuelan drug organization, Tren de Aragua, received similar FTO designation in January.
Venezuela's Response and Geopolitical Tensions
Maduro, widely regarded by Western nations as a dictator, has accused the United States of fabricating a war to overthrow his government and install a more favorable administration. Venezuelan officials counter that Trump's true motivation involves gaining access to the country's substantial oil reserves and other natural resources including gold and diamonds.
The 63-year-old Venezuelan leader could potentially leverage oil as a bargaining chip in future negotiations. While Trump has previously expressed openness to talks, this possibility appears increasingly unlikely given Maduro's recent rhetoric. This week, images circulated showing Maduro brandishing a sword while vowing to "defend every inch of this blessed land from imperialist threat."
The situation represents a significant escalation in tensions between the United States and Venezuela, with both sides preparing for potentially expanded conflict in the coming weeks.
