U.S. Military leadership Change &โฃ Rising Tensions with Venezuela
CARACAS/WASHINGTON โค- The United States is facing heightened โฃscrutiny regarding its activities near Venezuela,โฃ following a surprising announcement of a leadership change within itsโข Southern Command andโฃ escalating tensions along the Colombian border.โฃ Venezuela has formallyโค appealed tooโ the United Nations Security Council, alleging illegal attacks by the U.S.and requesting an examination.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete โHegseth announced Thursday that Admiral Alvin Holsey,commander of U.S. forces in Latinโ America,โ will leave his post at the end โขof the year – a departureโข occurring after onyl one year in the role, significantly shorterโค than the typical three-year term. Reuters reports informationโฃ suggesting tensions between Holsey and Hegseth, though the connectionโฃ to U.S. actions in the Caribbean โคremains unclear.
Venezuela’s appeal to the UN Security Council, detailed in aโ letter seen by Reuters,โค callsโ for an investigation into attacks on “civilian ships” transitingโข international waters and a reaffirmation โคof respect for national sovereignty. โVenezuelan UN Ambassadorโ Samuel โขMoncada made the formal accusation.President โคNicolรกs Maduro stated that no โฃprevious management had openly admitted to directing the CIA to “kill, overthrow and destroy โcountries.”
though, any resolution within the UN Security Council is highly likely stalled due to โคthe โขU.S.’s โคveto power โas a permanent member. โThe council convened last week at the request of Venezuela, Russia, and China to discuss theโข growing tensions.
Together,โฃ Venezuela is increasing its military presence along its border โwith Colombia. Authorities in the venezuelan states of Tรกchira and Amazonas announced โคincreased patrols and controlโ measures at border crossings. General Michell Valladares, commander of theโค Venezuelan armed forces in Tรกchira, reported theโฃ deployment โฃof 17,000 soldiers. General โLionel Sojo, commander of the Venezuelan army in Amazonas, stated the โmeasures aim to enhance military readiness, withโ additional โขtroops stationed along Venezuela’sโค coastline.