Trump signals potential for US land operations in Venezuela against drug traffickers

US President Donald Trump has signaled that the US will “very soon” take action on land against Venezuelan drug traffickers, following weeks of interdictions in the Caribbean.

In a Thanksgiving Day address to military personnel, Trump said, “In recent weeks, you have been working to deter the very numerous Venezuelan drug traffickers. Of course, not many are coming by sea anymore. You have probably noticed that people don’t want to make deliveries by sea, so we will start stopping them on land as well.”

The US president stated that this task is “easier on land” and that they would “be starting very soon.”

“We are warning them: Stop sending poison to our country,” Trump added.

These statements follow the military’s decision earlier this month to deploy the USS Gerald R. Ford to the region.

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement, “The reinforced US forces in the USSOUTHCOM [US Southern Command] AOR will enhance the capacity to detect, monitor, and disrupt illicit actors and activities that threaten US security and prosperity, as well as our security in the Western Hemisphere.”

Parnell added that these forces would “strengthen existing capabilities to counter drug trafficking and to weaken and dismantle international criminal organizations.”

The Trump administration maintains its goal of preventing illegal drugs from being smuggled into the US.

However, the attacks on boats in the Caribbean have raised concerns among foreign leaders and members of Congress in Washington, as reports allege that individuals killed during the interdictions had no connection to drug trafficking.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has been described by Trump as an “illegitimate leader.” Trump has linked him to drug trafficking operations in the region, a claim Maduro denies.

In an interview with CNN published on Wednesday, Colombian President Gustavo Petro argued that “oil is at the heart of the matter.”

“So this is a negotiation about oil. I think that is Trump’s logic. He is not thinking about the democratization of Venezuela, and he is certainly not thinking about drug trafficking,” Petro added.

The South American president, who was sanctioned by the Trump administration last month, argued that Venezuela is not a major producer of fentanyl.

The US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) estimated in 2020 that approximately 74% of the cocaine entering the country came via the Pacific.

According to the New York Times, the State Department also determined in 2020 that most of the cocaine leaving Venezuela was transferred to Europe or Brazil.

The news source reported earlier this month that military officials confirmed no cocaine was found on the vessels struck by US armed forces.