Maduro responded to Trump on the war with drug cartels: what threatens Venezuela.

Maduro's reaction to US threats

According to The Sun: The dictator of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, once again expressed his outrage at the US intentions to overthrow his regime, calling it an attempt to establish a 'puppet government'. He assured that he is ready for 'armed conflict'.

Maduro reacted to US President Donald Trump's statement about the war with drug cartels, which, according to him, 'poison' Americans with fentanyl and other drugs.

AFP

Trump accused Maduro of working with 'terrorist' drug cartels and granted himself the authority to eliminate their members without trial.

Charges and military threat

According to reports, the US may seize ports and airports in Venezuela. Maduro stated that America is committing 'armed aggression to establish regime change' and 'puppet governments'.

"They have 1,200 missiles aimed at our heads. They have a nuclear submarine," he noted.

Furthermore, he emphasized the presence of eight destroyers in the Caribbean, which, according to him, 'has never happened before'. Maduro assured that Venezuela is ready to meet Trump's challenge, stating that he is prepared to 'move from peaceful struggle to armed conflict' if necessary.

The US destroyed another Venezuelan drug boat, killing four people.

Operations against drug trafficking

On Friday, Trump officially announced that the US is entering into a 'non-international armed conflict' with Venezuelan 'terrorist organizations' involved in drug trafficking. This move, revealed in a secret memorandum to Congress, gives Trump broad powers to strike, eliminate, and detain cartel fighters without trial.

Within a few hours of the announcement, the US military destroyed another 'drug ship' off the coast of Venezuela, resulting in four deaths. Defense Secretary Pete Hegset emphasized that the boat 'was transporting significant amounts of drugs destined for America and poisoning our people'.

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The Pentagon is actively reinforcing forces in Puerto Rico, prepared for a possible assault on Venezuela. A powerful military presence, including warships, submarines, ten F-35 Lightning II fighters, and the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit with 2,200 Marines, has been deployed off the coast of Venezuela.

Special operations forces are conducting training in parachuting and seizing airfields in the Caribbean.

An American ship intercepted a Venezuelan fishing vessel, according to Maduro's government. Reuters

While the Pentagon has not confirmed invasion plans, their actions have become apparent. The US claims that drug traffickers kill tens of thousands of Americans yearly, and Venezuelan criminal networks, such as 'Tren de Aragua' and regime-connected 'Cartel de los Soles', operate under state protection.

 

"Maduro is personally accused of mass murder, drug trafficking, sex trafficking, and acts of violence and terror,"

- Trump emphasized, adding that a $50 million bounty has been placed on him and ordered the Southern Command to 'wage war against drug traffickers'. Maduro, who has held power for over 12 years, characterized this as a pretext for regime change.

In his opinion, Venezuela is ready to confront 'threats of bombs, death, and blackmail,' stating that 2.5 million military personnel have been mobilized to defend the country.

Last month, US forces conducted three strikes against suspected drug trafficking vessels, resulting in at least 17 deaths.

The situation in Ukraine and the world in general continues to remain tense. The imposition of new sanctions and the display of military power by the US amplify global political instability. Maduro's reaction shows Venezuela's readiness to defend its interests despite external threats. The situation remains under control, but the countries may face new challenges in the confrontation.