US Sea Semilitary Beat: US strike against drugs-escalated with Venezuela?

The United States has carried out a military strike in the South Caribbean. President Donald Trump celebrated this as a success and posted video recordings, such as a boat that is said to have expired from Venezuela with drugs on board. According to US, there are eleven deaths, Trump calls them “terrorists”. What happens now?

What about the relationship between Venezuela and the USA?

It is at a low point. There have been tensions for years, they have recently grown. The Trump government increased the reward up to $ 50 million (around 43 million euros) for information that leads to the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The United States accused him of violating the US drug laws. Maduro brings deadly drugs – cocaine – and violence to the USA. The United States doubts the election in Venezuela in 2024 – the authoritarian Maduro had been sworn in despite an election accompanied by allegations of fraud, nationwide protests and international criticism for a third term until 2031.

Could the situation escalate now?

The military attack on a suspected smuggler boat in the Caribbean represents at least one new escalation level. There could be further blows on the US side.

Maduro describes the US military presence in the Caribbean as the “biggest threat” in a century. He warned the United States about an intervention in the South American country and threatened armed resistance in the event of an attack. “If Venezuela were attacked, we would immediately go to the armed struggle to defend our territory,” he said. Most recently, the government moved thousands of soldiers to the border with Colombia and recruited new members for the paramilitary militias.

Had the US strike hung in the sea?

Yes. The “New York Times” had reported weeks ago that a significant reinforcement of the US seasid forces in the southern Caribbean Sea could be observed. The newspaper referred to sources without name that Trump has instructed the Ministry of Defense to apply military violence against certain Latin American drug cartels. The US government classifies them as terrorist organizations. Other US media also reported warships that were sent off the coast of Venezuela. The destroyers should therefore intercept illegal drug transports there.

What role does Venezuela play in international drug trafficking?

Venezuela is an important transit country for the smuggling of cocaine from Colombia towards the USA and Europe. Traditionally, the business was checked by Colombian criminal syndicates, most recently splinter groups of Colombian rebels in Venezuela were also active. In addition, the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua is involved in the drug business. The group emerged from a railway union, initially checked a prison and then spread throughout the region. The passage is now also said to have taken the attack in the Caribbean.

Is President Maduro involved in drug trafficking himself?

At least that’s the view of the US government. The judiciary raised charges against him. The US authorities accuse Maduro of flooding the United States with cocaine and using the drug as a weapon. Drug trade is to be controlled by the so -called Cartel de Los Sole (Cartel of the Sonnen) – a criminal syndicate from officers of the armed forces. However, security experts disagree whether the cartel exists at all.

How big is the drug problem in the USA?

Trump named the fight against drugs as one of his most important topics. Fentanyl in particular has become a major problem in the United States. The synthetic drug makes it quickly and strong. But other drugs such as cocaine are also the focus. The US government accuses several countries such as Venezuela, Mexico and Canada not to do enough to do that cartels flood the United States with drugs. She started many levers: for example, visa restrictions against drug dealers, their family members and business partners.