Venezuela Launches Military Drills following U.S. actions Against Suspected drug vessels
CARACAS, venezuela – venezuela has initiated days of military exercises, including air defense deployments and “electronic warfare actions,” in response to recent U.S. military strikes targeting vessels alleged to be involved in drug trafficking. The drills, dubbed “Sovereign caribbean” by President Nicolás Maduro in his role as commander-in-chief, commenced Wednesday and involve a significant deployment of naval and air assets.
The exercises come amid escalating tensions between the two nations following U.S. President Donald Trump’s authorization of strikes against three Venezuelan vessels earlier this month, resulting in the deaths of 11 people. Washington claims the vessels were carrying drugs destined for the United States, though Caracas has demanded an examination and questioned the evidence supporting those claims.
Defense Minister vladimir Padrino López stated the drills will include “armed drones, surveillance drones, submarine drones… We are going to implement electronic warfare actions,” citing the ”threatening, vulgar voice” of the U.S. Images broadcast on public television showed amphibious vessels and warships positioned off La Orchila, an island housing a Venezuelan military base, and near the location where a Venezuelan fishing vessel was intercepted and held by the U.S. for eight hours over the weekend.
The Venezuelan armed forces reported the exercises involve 12 ships, 22 aircraft, and 20 small boats from the “special naval militia.” Maduro, whose past election victories have not been recognized by the U.S.and many other countries, has vowed to defend Venezuela against what he calls U.S. “aggression.”
The U.S. government has offered a $50 million bounty for Maduro’s arrest, alleging drug trafficking charges. Venezuela maintains it is indeed actively combating narcotics, with interior Minister diosdado Cabello claiming officials have seized over 60 tonnes of drugs this year – the largest amount as 2010.Trump has justified the military actions by asserting that drug cartels ”POSE A THREAT to US National Security, Foreign Policy, and vital US Interests,” releasing videos of the strikes but providing limited supporting evidence. Caracas consistently denies being a hub for drug trafficking.
