Rising tensions between the United States and Venezuela have significantly increased military activity in the Caribbean. On Thursday, December 11, President Donald Trump reiterated plans to commence ground strikes to prevent drug shipments entering the US from Venezuela. In recent weeks, Trump has frequently issued warnings of possible military action against Venezuela.
Trump alleges a continuous increase in drug trafficking from Venezuela, emphasizing its threat to US national security. Following Trump's warning, US military engagements in the Caribbean intensified. US Coast Guard helicopters and Marine Corps' tilt-rotor Osprey aircraft were seen at Ponce Airfield, Puerto Rico. These heightened activities underline America's effort to exert pressure on Venezuela.
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Recently, the US Navy and Air Force conducted air strikes on several boats in the Caribbean, claiming they were part of Venezuelan drug cartels involved in smuggling. Additionally, the US has labeled Venezuela's 'Cartel de los Soles' a foreign terrorist organization, describing it as a significant drug-trafficking network entwined with Venezuelan security and political apparatus, necessitating decisive actions. Venezuela has persistently voiced opposition to these US measures.
In response, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro condemned the US for seizing a Venezuelan oil tanker, branding it piracy and a flagrant breach of international laws. He claimed the seizure is an unlawful occupation of Venezuelan assets aimed at destabilizing the economy. The rising US military presence and Venezuela's strong reaction have intensified regional tensions, potentially escalating confrontations.
Military Deployments: Part of an Intelligence-Driven Operation: US
US officials argue that Venezuela's political instability and economic turmoil have invigorated drug smuggling networks. The Pentagon affirmed that military deployments in the Caribbean form part of an intelligence-driven operation to monitor drug routes, with Osprey and Coast Guard units prepared for quick response missions. Venezuela accuses the US of hostile intervention and military provocation, contemplating formal complaints to the UN Security Council.
Venezuelan Military Ramps Up Coastal Radar Monitoring
In response, Venezuelan forces have enhanced coastal surveillance and activated radar systems along the Caribbean coast. A potential US ground strike could ignite a significant geopolitical crisis. Latin American nations, including Cuba, Bolivia, and Nicaragua, have rallied behind Maduro, asserting that US actions threaten regional sovereignty. Meanwhile, the US State Department insists on escalating economic and military pressure to restore democracy in Venezuela.
