US Strikes Linked to Venezuelan Drug Trafficking Trigger Controversy
The United States reportedly struck a dock area associated with Venezuelan drug boats, resulting in a major explosion last week. Details about the precise location of the strike and whether US forces were directly involved have not been disclosed, and it is unclear if the incident occurred within Venezuelan territory. The Venezuelan government has so far not commented on the event.
Since September, the US has conducted strikes against more than 20 drug-smuggling boats in the Pacific and Caribbean waters, leading to at least 100 casualties. The most recent strike on Monday reportedly killed two individuals identified as narco-terrorists in the eastern Pacific, according to US Southern Command.
President Trump has previously threatened land strikes in Venezuela and authorized covert CIA actions as part of efforts to pressure Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. When questioned about CIA involvement in these operations, Trump declined to specify who carried out the strike.
The Pentagon has not yet released images related to the dock incident, despite typically publishing such images for strikes against boats. Meanwhile, the US has deployed approximately 15,000 troops alongside a significant naval and air force presence to the Caribbean aimed at disrupting fentanyl and cocaine trafficking. This deployment includes assets such as the aircraft carrier USS Gerald Ford.
President Maduro denies leading any cartel and accuses the US of piracy and using the war on drugs as a pretext to overthrow his government and seize Venezuelan oil resources. Conversely, the US accuses Venezuela of channeling oil revenues to support criminal activities.
