President Donald Trump on Sunday addressed the rising strain between the United States and Venezuela. Reporters questioned him about possible military action. They also asked if he feared retaliation from President Nicolás Maduro.
Trump gave vague but firm responses during the briefing in Morristown, New Jersey. When asked about a possible strike on Venezuelan territory, Trump replied, “We’ll see what happens.” He accused Venezuela of sending drug dealers and gang members into the U.S.
Trump said, “Venezuela is sending drugs and criminals. It’s completely unacceptable.” He noted that U.S. Navy operations had reduced boat traffic off Venezuela’s coast. Pressed again about striking more drug-smuggling boats, Trump repeated his earlier comment. “We’ll see what happens,” he said. “There aren’t many boats out there now. Very little traffic remains.”
Most recently, this follows a recent U.S. Navy strike that destroyed a Venezuelan drug boat in the southern Caribbean. That operation killed nearly a dozen suspected members of the Tren de Aragua cartel.
Meanwhile, on Saturday, Venezuela’s foreign minister made a new accusation. He claimed U.S. Navy forces boarded a tuna boat with nine fishermen in Venezuelan waters. The Associated Press reported the claim.Trump also responded to concerns about Maduro’s reaction. The Venezuelan president has called some U.S. actions illegal. Trump dismissed those concerns. He said, “What’s illegal is the drug trafficking. We had 300 million drug deaths last year. That’s illegal.”
Although experts question that number, Trump stood by it. He said the U.S. must continue stopping illegal drugs before they reach American shores. “A lot of drugs are coming from Venezuela,” Trump added. “A lot of Tren de Aragua. But we’re stopping them.”
As U.S.-Venezuela tensions grow, the administration has increased its military presence in the region. Officials suggest more strikes could follow. U.S.-Venezuela tensions have reached a new level, with both sides trading accusations. Trump continues to stress the need for strong border and maritime enforcement.
In summary, U.S.-Venezuela tensions appear far from over. Trump’s comments suggest more action could come soon.
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