Donald Trump has declared his intention to target any nation involved in smuggling illicit drugs into the United States. Speaking at a Cabinet meeting in the White House, the US president highlighted the issue of cocaine originating from Colombia. Trump stated, “The country of Colombia is producing cocaine. They operate cocaine production facilities and then supply us with their cocaine. We appreciate that very much, but yes.”
He emphasized, “Anyone engaged in this activity and supplying drugs to our country will face consequences.” When asked if this applied specifically to Venezuela, Trump responded, “No, not only Venezuela.”
Trump elaborated, “Venezuela has been particularly problematic. They have been involved in something else, perhaps even worse than most, but many others are also involved. They dispatch criminals to our country. They release their prisoners into our country. They send individuals to our country who are not welcome.”
“They dispatch their drug traffickers and individuals involved in the drug trade to our country. They send individuals from their psychiatric facilities to our country. And we are removing them. This was unacceptable, truly unacceptable. Additionally, they traffic drugs.”
The President’s warning came after the White House defended a secondary strike on an alleged drug vessel in the Caribbean Sea during a US military operation in September. The White House stated that Navy Vice Admiral Frank ‘Mitch’ Bradley had authorized the second strike, asserting that it was “within his jurisdiction and compliant with the law.”
The military operation has faced bipartisan criticism from lawmakers following reports in The Washington Post claiming that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had given a verbal command to “eliminate everyone” on the boat. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated during a briefing on Monday, “Secretary Hegseth sanctioned Admiral Bradley to carry out these kinetic strikes.”
“Admiral Bradley acted well within his authority and in compliance with the law, directing the operation to ensure the vessel was incapacitated and the threat to the United States was neutralized.” Hegseth later expressed his support for Admiral Bradley, calling him an American hero and endorsing his decisions on combat operations.
Trump convened with his national security team on Monday to discuss ongoing operations and potential strategies against Venezuela. The US government asserts that the strikes are targeted at drug cartels, some allegedly linked to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Trump is contemplating the possibility of conducting strikes on the Venezuelan mainland.
The President confirmed that he had recently conversed with Maduro over the phone but refrained from disclosing details of the discussion. Addressing supporters in Caracas, Maduro remarked that US pressure has posed challenges to the nation but Venezuelans are prepared to safeguard and guide it towards peace.
“We have endured 22 weeks of aggression that can only be described as psychological terrorism,” Maduro stated. The September strike was one of several carried out by the US military in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean as part of Trump’s deployment of a fleet of warships near Venezuela, including the largest US aircraft carrier. Over 80 individuals have lost their lives in these operations.
The National Assembly of Venezuela has announced an inquiry into the lethal strikes. In a statement on Sunday, the Assembly’s president, Jorge Rodríguez, acknowledged for the first time that Venezuelans have been killed in the US military operation. Rodríguez, who serves as Maduro’s chief negotiator, confirmed that a group of politicians will convene to investigate “the grave incidents that resulted in the deaths of Venezuelans in the Caribbean Sea.”
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