Navy dispatches three vessels off Venezuelan shores
In a move that has heightened tensions between the United States and Venezuela, President Trump has reiterated his preparedness to use "every element" of American power to combat drug trafficking. The White House statement comes as three Aegis-class guided missile destroyers are heading towards the waters off Venezuela, along with a naval strike force including three amphibious assault ships, Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, an attack submarine, P-8 spy planes, and over 4,000 Marines.
These troops and ships are expected to arrive off Venezuela's coast by early September 2025, according to US media reports. The operation aims to combat drug trafficking and target the alleged cartel linked to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
The administration's stance remains unchanged regarding Maduro's indictment for drug trafficking. Maduro, according to the administration, is a fugitive head of this cartel, known as the Cartel de los Soles, which has been given a special terrorist designation by the Treasury Department.
The Cartel de los Soles is accused of supporting the Tren de Aragua and Sinaloa drug cartels, which were labeled foreign terrorist organizations earlier this year. Karoline Leavitt, the Press Secretary, described the Venezuelan government as a "narco-terror cartel."
Nicolás Maduro, however, has responded to US threats by stating that he will deploy 4.5 million militia members across Venezuela. The administration, however, does not recognize Maduro as a legitimate president, having not acknowledged his past two election victories.
The US does not view the Venezuelan government as a legitimate government, and the Trump administration has doubled the bounty on Maduro to $50 million on drug charges. The possibility of US boots on the ground in Venezuela is a real one, according to the White House statement.
The US's actions against Venezuela have been met with criticism from various quarters, with concerns being raised about the potential for escalating tensions and the impact on regional stability. However, the administration maintains its stance, viewing Maduro as responsible for drug trafficking into the United States.
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