Two additional US naval vessels to join amphibious fleet patrolling off Venezuela’s coast as part of anti-drug cartel mission.
In an attempt to combat drug trafficking, Venezuela has announced plans to deploy 15,000 troops along its border with Colombia. Concurrently, the United States is set to send two more naval ships to the southern Caribbean as part of an operation targeting drug cartels in Latin America.
Venezuela’s Minister of the Popular Power for Interior, Diosdado Cabello, has declared that 15,000 troops will be sent to Zulia and Tachira states, which border Colombia, with the intention of strengthening security against drug trafficking. Cabello also highlighted the confiscation of 53 tonnes of narcotics thus far this year and emphasized the need for collaborative efforts with Colombian authorities to ensure regional peace.
The increased presence of Venezuelan troops along the Colombian border follows accusations from the Trump administration that President Nicolas Maduro and Maduro’s Minister, Cabello, are involved in cocaine trafficking and have ties to the Cartel de los Soles, a drug trafficking organization labeled as a terrorist group by Washington.
These accusations coincide with Washington’s announcement of a doubled reward of $50 million for Maduro’s capture on drug charges and increased financial incentives for Cabello’s apprehension. Maduro has accused the US of trying to instigate a regime change in Venezuela.
Maduro has initiated a national campaign to recruit thousands of militia members to bolster the country’s security in the face of escalating tensions with the US. He remains confident in the ability of his nation to withstand these challenges brought on by the US government’s threats.
Reuters has reported that the USS Lake Erie, a guided missile cruiser, and the USS Newport News, a nuclear-powered fast attack submarine, will arrive in the southern Caribbean early next week. They will be joining the US amphibious fleet, which includes the USS San Antonio, USS Iwo Jima, and USS Fort Lauderdale, set to arrive off the Venezuelan coast with 4,500 military personnel on board.
Operationally, the US amphibious squadron will be responsible for countering Latin American drug cartels. This initiative is a cornerstone of President Trump’s administration, with Mexican cartels including Sinaloa, and other criminal groups such as the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua having been classified as global terrorist organizations.
Venezuela’s Minister of the Popular Power for Interior, Diosdado Cabello, has declared that 15,000 troops will be sent to Zulia and Tachira states, which border Colombia, with the intention of strengthening security against drug trafficking. Cabello also highlighted the confiscation of 53 tonnes of narcotics thus far this year and emphasized the need for collaborative efforts with Colombian authorities to ensure regional peace.
The increased presence of Venezuelan troops along the Colombian border follows accusations from the Trump administration that President Nicolas Maduro and Maduro’s Minister, Cabello, are involved in cocaine trafficking and have ties to the Cartel de los Soles, a drug trafficking organization labeled as a terrorist group by Washington.
These accusations coincide with Washington’s announcement of a doubled reward of $50 million for Maduro’s capture on drug charges and increased financial incentives for Cabello’s apprehension. Maduro has accused the US of trying to instigate a regime change in Venezuela.
Maduro has initiated a national campaign to recruit thousands of militia members to bolster the country’s security in the face of escalating tensions with the US. He remains confident in the ability of his nation to withstand these challenges brought on by the US government’s threats.
Reuters has reported that the USS Lake Erie, a guided missile cruiser, and the USS Newport News, a nuclear-powered fast attack submarine, will arrive in the southern Caribbean early next week. They will be joining the US amphibious fleet, which includes the USS San Antonio, USS Iwo Jima, and USS Fort Lauderdale, set to arrive off the Venezuelan coast with 4,500 military personnel on board.
Operationally, the US amphibious squadron will be responsible for countering Latin American drug cartels. This initiative is a cornerstone of President Trump’s administration, with Mexican cartels including Sinaloa, and other criminal groups such as the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua having been classified as global terrorist organizations.
