WASHINGTON – Former President Donald Trump stated the U.S. military has “eliminated” three Venezuelan vessels allegedly carrying narcotics, escalating tensions between the two nations. The incidents, occurring in international waters, prompted a strong rebuke from Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who characterized the U.S. actions as military aggression adn asserted venezuela’s right to self-defense under international law.
The U.S. accusations center on Maduro’s alleged leadership of “The Los Soles Cartel,” a network purportedly involved in large-scale drug trafficking to the United States, the world’s largest consumer of cocaine. While the existence of this cartel is disputed, Washington maintains its commitment to disrupting the flow of illicit drugs. This latest development adds another layer to the complex political and economic crisis gripping Venezuela, impacting regional stability and raising questions about the future of U.S.-Venezuela relations.
Maduro, during a Monday press conference, dismissed the U.S. claims as “lies” and argued that the majority of cocaine bound for the U.S. transits through Pacific routes and ports in Ecuador, not Venezuela. He affirmed that Venezuela would exercise its “legitimate right to defend itself” against what he described as ongoing military aggression.
