President Donald Trump has declared his intention to take action against any nation involved in the trafficking of illegal drugs into the United States. Speaking during a Cabinet meeting at the White House, Trump specifically mentioned the issue of cocaine originating from Colombia. He expressed, “The country of Colombia is producing cocaine. They have cocaine manufacturing facilities and then they export their cocaine to us. We appreciate that very much, but yes.”
He emphasized, “Anyone engaging in such activities and supplying drugs to our country will face consequences.” When asked if this applied solely to Venezuela, Trump responded, “No, not just Venezuela.”
Trump elaborated, stating, “Venezuela has been particularly problematic. Venezuela has been involved in something else, perhaps worse than most, but many others are also guilty. They dispatch criminals to our nation. They release their convicts into our country. They send individuals whom we do not want here.”
He continued, “They send their drug traffickers and other criminals to our country. They even send people from their mental institutions to us. And we are taking action against this. It was unacceptable, truly unacceptable. Additionally, they are involved in drug trafficking.”
This warning from Trump followed a statement from the White House asserting the legality of a secondary strike on an alleged drug boat in the Caribbean Sea during a September military operation. The White House clarified that Navy Vice Admiral Frank ‘Mitch’ Bradley authorized the second strike, stating that it was “within his jurisdiction and compliant with the law.”
The military operation has faced bipartisan scrutiny after reports emerged that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had verbally instructed to “eliminate everyone” on the boat. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed during a briefing that “Secretary Hegseth permitted Admiral Bradley to carry out these targeted strikes.”
She added, “Admiral Bradley operated well within his jurisdiction and in accordance with the law, directing the operation to ensure the boat was destroyed and the threat to the United States was neutralized.” Hegseth expressed his support for Admiral Bradley, calling him an American hero and endorsing the decisions made during the September 2 mission and subsequent operations.
Later that day, Trump convened with his national security team to discuss ongoing operations and potential strategies against Venezuela. The US government asserts that the strikes target drug cartels, some of which are allegedly linked to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Trump is also contemplating the possibility of strikes on Venezuelan territory.
Although Trump confirmed speaking with Maduro by phone recently, he refrained from disclosing details of the conversation. Maduro, addressing supporters in Caracas, stated that US pressure has tested the nation but Venezuelans are prepared “to defend it and lead it towards peace.”
Maduro highlighted, “We have endured 22 weeks of aggression that can only be described as psychological terrorism.” The September strike was one in a series of US military operations in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean, coinciding with Trump’s directive to deploy a fleet of warships near Venezuela, including the largest US aircraft carrier. Over 80 individuals have reportedly been killed in these operations.
The National Assembly of Venezuela has announced the initiation of an investigation into the deadly strikes. Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez publicly acknowledged for the first time that Venezuelans have lost their lives in the prolonged US military campaign. Rodríguez, who serves as Maduro’s chief negotiator, declared that a group of politicians will collaborate to probe “the serious incidents leading to the killing of Venezuelans in the Caribbean Sea.”
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