trump Weighs Military Action Against Cartels Inside Venezuela Following Caribbean Drug Ship Sinking
WASHINGTON – following the sinking of a suspected drug ship in the Caribbean on Tuesday, resulting in the reported deaths of eleven crew members, U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly considering authorizing military attacks against drug cartels operating within Venezuela. CNN reported Friday, citing unnamed sources familiar with the plans, that a range of options are under consideration as the management escalates its fight against international drug trafficking.
The potential move signals a significant hardening of Trump’s stance on combating cartels in his second term, with Venezuela emerging as a central focus. While a direct effort to remove Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro from power is not currently being discussed, according to Trump, the administration views Venezuela’s recent elections as “a very strange choice, to put it mildly.”
The U.S. has bolstered its military presence in the region in recent weeks, deploying additional ships and aircraft. On Friday, Trump authorized the deployment of ten F-35 fighter jets to Puerto Rico, adding to a fleet already equipped with Tomahawk cruise missiles and including at least one submarine.
Earlier this year, the U.S. designated the Venezuelan-founded Tren de Aragua and other groups as “terrorist organizations,” accusing the Maduro government of allowing drug gangs to operate with impunity within its borders. The White House has also labeled Maduro himself a “drug terrorist,” offering a $50 million reward for his arrest.
