August M
Donald Trump has suggested the US may broaden its anti-drug campaign beyond maritime strikes and take action on land.
Mounting diplomatic tension between Washington and Caracas has intensified after the US formally labelled two Venezuelan criminal groups as foreign terrorist organisations.
The move places Cartel de los Soles and Tren de Aragua alongside groups such as al Qaeda and Hamas, according to Sky News reporting.
Evidence questions
US officials have shared videos of maritime strikes but have not released images of seized cargo.
Sky’s chief correspondent Stuart Ramsay noted that even cartel-controlled boats often ship drugs toward Europe and West Africa, rather than directly to US shores.
Shifting US strategy
According to Sky News, the terrorist designations come as part of Operation Southern Spear, a broader campaign that has already included at least 21 U.S. strikes on boats believed by Washington to be carrying illegal drugs.
Venezuela says more than 80 people have been killed in attacks.
America’s newest aircraft carrier is among the vessels deployed to the Caribbean and eastern Pacific.
The Pentagon argues the targets are violent narcotics networks posing a threat to the US.
Trump’s warning
Only after escalating diplomatic pressure did Donald Trump signal a potential new phase, Reuters notes.
Speaking to American service members, he said traffickers were avoiding sea routes due to recent strikes and hinted at a coming expansion.
“You probably noticed that people aren’t wanting to be delivering by sea, and we’ll be starting to stop them by land also,” he said.
“The land is easier, but that’s going to start very soon.”
He added: “We warned them to stop sending poison to our country.”
Maduro pushes back
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro condemned the designations, accusing the U.S. of “fabricating” a conflict aimed at removing him from power, reports the AP
Officials in Caracas claim Washington is driven by Venezuela’s oil, gold and mineral reserves, not security concerns.
During a televised appearance this week, Mr. Maduro wielded a sword and promised to “defend every inch of this blessed land from the imperialist threat,” reports Sky News.
Strategic dilemmas
Phil Gunson of the International Crisis Group, speaking from Caracas, cautioned against imagining a rapid or uncomplicated transition.
“This cozy idea that somehow Maduro falls and the next day María Corina Machado walks into the presidential palace and everybody lives happily ever after is fantastical,” he said. “That won’t happen.”
NPR highlighted that Donald Trump has pursued Maduro’s removal since his first term, accusing him of dismantling democratic institutions and driving the nation into collapse, with millions fleeing the country.
He encouraged Venezuelan military officers to break with Maduro and, in 2019, recognised Juan Guaidó as the country’s legitimate leader.
Despite these efforts, Maduro has remained in power. According to NPR, Trump’s second term has revived internal debate in Washington over whether to consider more forceful measures.
Sources: Skynews-nrp-AP-Reuters
