Trump threatens strikes against cartels in Venezuela: what is known about US plans.

Trump expands fight against drug business

According to The Sun: Donald Trump continues to destroy illegal drug vessels off the coast of Venezuela and intends to expand his campaign into the territory of the country.

The US president praised the Navy for their efforts aimed at “kicking terrorists-cartels out of the water,” continuing his war against the drug business.

x/@SecWar

Trump also hinted at possible further action on Venezuelan territory while speaking at the Norfolk naval base near the USS Harry S Truman aircraft carrier. He declared, “In recent weeks, the Navy has supported our mission to destroy the terrorists-cartels... We conducted another operation last night.”

The president noted that cartels on land would become new targets and even threatened to attack Venezuelan territory:

“They are no longer coming by sea, so now we will be forced to look for alternatives on land because they will have to go through land territories.”

Any potential move would be unprecedented, as the US military has never directly attacked cartels in Mexico or Venezuela. As noted by Javed Ali, a professor at the University of Michigan, an attack on cartels abroad would give the president broad options for action.

Trump received support from new executive orders that classify drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. The order identified eight Latin American cartels, including six from Mexico, as terrorist groups.

If Trump decides to attack on land, his first option will likely be airstrikes, most likely using powerful Reaper drones.Alamy

Trump faces the dilemma of determining which cartels to attack first. US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth detailed one of the successful strikes on a drug ship last week.

Hegseth noted that he has “all necessary permissions” for conducting attacks but did not specify where these permissions came from.

“All options are on the table when dealing with organizations that are designated as foreign terrorists,”

he noted.

On the social platform X, he reported that the ship was carrying “a significant amount of drugs heading to America to poison our people.”

 

“These strikes will continue until the attacks on Americans cease,”

he added.

Trump's War on Drugs

Author: Harvey He

Donald Trump has launched a large-scale war on drugs, favoring missiles over law enforcement measures.

The first day of Trump’s second term began with the designation of drug dealers as terrorists, allowing him to eliminate them even before they reach American shores.

This decision raised concerns among lawyers who argue that the attack on a suspected drug vessel on Tuesday was unlawful.

Washington observers argue that criminals should be arrested, however, the administration stated the ineffectiveness of traditional law enforcement methods.

Trump promised after the strikes:

“This is not the end.”

The US president has long spoken of his desire to use force against drug cartels, which he claims are supported by Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro.

Maduro denies these accusations, and in recent months, the situation has escalated, leading to heightened tensions.

The US has deployed warships and soldiers near Venezuelan waters, while the Venezuelan dictator has ordered mass mobilization of troops.

Nicolas Maduro, the dictator of Venezuela, sharply reacted to Washington, stating that the US seeks to overthrow him and establish a “moderate government.”

He expressed his discontent with Trump’s statements about the war against the cartels, which the president believes are “poisoning” Americans with fentanyl and other drugs.

Trump accused Maduro of collaborating with “terrorist” drug cartels and granted himself the right to eliminate their members without due process.

Reports indicate that the US is preparing to seize ports and airstrips in Venezuela. Maduro stated that America is committing “armed aggression for regime change” and “moderate governments.”

He also emphasized that the US has “1200 missiles targeted at us. They have a nuclear submarine.”

“There have never been eight destroyers in the Caribbean Sea, this is unprecedented,”

he emphasized.

Maduro warned that any country challenging Venezuela will be “punished,” regardless of its power. He also protested his innocence regarding drug trafficking and claimed that the US actually wants to steal Venezuelan oil, gas and gold.

Reuters EPA x/@SecWar

This news underscores the escalating tensions between the US and Venezuela in the context of the fight against the drug business. Such actions could lead to new conflicts in the region and a more serious escalation of military tensions between these countries. It is essential to monitor the further developments, as the situation may quickly change against the backdrop of these military initiatives.