Donald Trump has issued a stark warning regarding the potential threat posed by Venezuelan jets flying over U.S. naval ships. The former president stated that if such actions put the U.S. in a dangerous position, those jets would be shot down. This warning follows reports of Venezuelan military aircraft flying close to a U.S. vessel off the coast of South America for the second time in just two days, according to U.S. officials who spoke to CBS News.
The tension escalated after a recent U.S. military strike against a vessel allegedly carrying drugs from Venezuela, operated by a notorious gang. This operation resulted in the deaths of 11 individuals, further complicating the already strained relations between the two nations. In response to the allegations made by the U.S., Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has firmly denied the claims, insisting that the accusations do not warrant military conflict. Maduro emphasized that Venezuela is open to dialogue but demands respect from the U.S.
During a press conference in the Oval Office, Trump was asked about the implications of further Venezuelan jet incursions over U.S. naval vessels. He responded emphatically, stating that Venezuela would face serious consequences if such provocations continued. Trump made it clear to his military general, present during the discussion, that he could take decisive action if the situation escalated further.
Since resuming the presidency in January, Trump has ramped up his anti-drug trafficking initiatives in Latin America. The former president accused Maduro of facilitating the flow of drugs into the United States and linked the Venezuelan leader to the gang Tren de Aragua, which is classified as a terrorist organization by the U.S. government. Trump has previously asserted that drugs are "pouring into the U.S." from Venezuela, illustrating the urgency of the situation.
In response to these threats, the U.S. military has increased its presence in the southern Caribbean. This includes deploying additional naval vessels and thousands of marines and sailors to combat drug trafficking. The White House recently announced the deployment of 10 F-35 fighter jets to Puerto Rico as part of this military strategy. When questioned about this military build-up, Trump stated, “I think it’s just strong. We’re strong on drugs. We don’t want drugs killing our people.”
Trump has long been a critic of Maduro's regime, recently doubling the reward for information leading to Maduro's arrest to $50 million (£37.2 million). The former president has accused Maduro of being one of the largest narco-traffickers in the world. During Trump’s first term, the U.S. government charged Maduro and several high-ranking Venezuelan officials with various offenses, including narco-terrorism, corruption, and drug trafficking. Despite these allegations, Maduro has consistently rejected the claims made by the U.S.
The ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela highlight the complex dynamics of international relations and drug trafficking in the region. As both nations navigate this contentious landscape, the potential for conflict remains a pressing concern.
