Vicious “wild card” cartels may target American tourists at luxury resorts if President Donald Trump proceeds with actions against Venezuela. The situation in the Caribbean is escalating following the Trump administration’s declaration of targeting narco-gangsters linked to suspected drug activities near Venezuela’s shores. Since the initial strikes in August, numerous casualties have been reported, with remains discovered on various island beaches.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth unveiled Operation Southern Spear, a strategy to enhance U.S. defense capabilities against threats in the region. Emphasizing the mission’s focus on safeguarding American interests and combating drug-related terrorism, the administration aims to eliminate the drugs that have led to numerous American casualties. The operation, led by Joint Task Force Southern Spear and @SOUTHCOM, is crucial for securing the Western Hemisphere, as stated in Hegseth’s Twitter post.
President Trump has persistently condemned cartels for smuggling dangerous opioids, including fentanyl, into the U.S., resulting in significant fatalities. Amidst discussions of ousting Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro, accused of enabling cartel operations, Trump could potentially authorize strikes against cartel strongholds and Maduro’s regime in response to any aggression towards Venezuela.
Retired U.S. Marines Colonel and senior advisor at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington DC, Mark Cancian, suggested that potential targets for U.S. Navy actions could include cartel infrastructure like production sites, airfields, warehouses, and shipyards utilized by the criminal networks.
While the Maduro regime may crumble under sustained military pressure, Cancian warned about the unpredictable nature of decentralized cartels, posing a potential threat to American civilians, including tourists. He highlighted the risk of a “wild card” scenario where cartels might launch attacks against U.S. targets, altering the course of the conflict.
In the event of cartel aggression against American citizens or military personnel, Trump would likely respond decisively. Cancian proposed the deployment of ground forces to neutralize any further threats from the cartels. The murder of American civilians would provoke an extensive air campaign against the cartels, potentially escalating to ground operations to ensure national security.
While actions against cartels targeting innocent Americans may garner public support, the prospect of military strikes against Venezuela remains uncertain among the U.S. populace. With millions backing Trump’s commitment to reduce foreign entanglements, the decision to engage in conflict with Venezuela could face public scrutiny.
