Trump says he will begin a ground operation against drug trafficking in Venezuela "very soon".
He applauds the attacks on vessels and says they have stopped 85% of the flow of drugs by sea.
BarcelonaThe likelihood of a US ground military operation in Venezuela appears to be increasing, following a new threat from President Donald Trump. In a Thanksgiving Day call with military personnel, he warned that the armed forces will "begin very soon" to "stop" the "Venezuelan drug traffickers" on the ground, after the military actions by sea have been a success, he emphasized. "You've probably noticed that they don't want to deliver [the drugs] by sea anymore, and we're going to start stopping them on the ground. Also, it's easier on the ground, but this will start very soon," Trump said.
As usual, the president did not give details about this potential ground intervention, which would further escalate tensions between the two countries. Trump justified the military actions by arguing that the alleged drug traffickers "are sending their poison to the United States, where they kill thousands of people every year." "In recent weeks, you've been working to stop the drug traffickers from Venezuela, of which there are many, although there aren't many coming by sea anymore," he said, and praised the attacks on vessels in the Caribbean and the Pacific, where U.S. forces have killed more than 100,000 people since September.
These attacks have been carried out without congressional authorization, drawing criticism from legal experts and Democrats, who accuse the government of intentionally targeting civilians who may be suspected of crimes, but who are not combatants. According to Trump, the attacks have stopped "85% of the flow of drugs by sea."
These statements add to reports published in US media claiming that Trump reportedly approved allowing the CIA to conduct covert operationswhich could be aimed at preparing the battlefield for future actions. The US deployed the aircraft carrier to the Caribbean Sea in mid-November.Gerald R. FordThe largest and ninth in the United States Navy, and this Monday the Trump administration declared the Cartel of the Suns, of which Nicolás Maduro is the leader, a terrorist organization, according to Washington. Thus, the Venezuelan president and high-ranking officials in his government are officially designated by the United States as members of an international terrorist organization. Also this week, US B-52H bomber aircraft conducted demonstrations in the Caribbean.
Maduro's Response
The Maduro government has also responded by showcasing the strength of the Venezuelan air force and calling for the defense of the territory. The Chavista leader participated remotely in an event with top military commanders at the Maracay air base in the north of the country, coinciding with the 105th anniversary of the creation of the Venezuelan air force. There, troops conducted an exercise in intercepting an aircraft and invading troops.
"I ask you to always remain undisturbed in your serenity, alert, ready and willing to defend our rights as a nation, as a free and sovereign homeland. I know you will never fail Venezuela; I know Venezuela counts on you," Maduro told the military. He also expressed confidence that Venezuela would prevail should the country declare itself a "republic in arms."