US President Donald Trump has intensified efforts against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro amid escalating tensions. The Trump administration has increased the reward for information leading to Maduro’s capture and has positioned warships near Venezuela. Recent incidents involving alleged drug trafficking boats have resulted in numerous fatalities.
During a phone call on November 21, Trump reportedly issued an ultimatum for Maduro to leave Venezuela. Maduro, who has been in power since succeeding Hugo Chávez in 2013, has maintained control over crucial state institutions, despite the international community, including the US, declaring his last electoral victory illegitimate. The US recognizes opposition candidate Edmundo González as “president-elect,” following allegations that he won by a significant margin.
The US’s focus on Venezuela stems partly from concerns over immigration, with nearly eight million Venezuelans having left since 2013—many heading to the US. Trump has linked this influx to Maduro’s regime, making claims about the forced migration of prisoners and others. The Trump administration is also combating the flow of drugs, particularly fentanyl and cocaine, into the US, attributing some of these issues to Venezuelan criminal organizations.
In response, the US has deployed 15,000 troops and various naval assets to the Caribbean for what is being described as a counter-narcotics operation, the most significant since the 1989 Panama invasion. However, legal experts have questioned the legitimacy of these strikes against alleged drug traffickers, stating that they do not meet the criteria for military engagement under international law.
Analysts note that while Venezuela plays a role in drug transit, Colombia is the primary producer of cocaine. The US military’s focus on the Caribbean may overlook the fact that most cocaine reaching the US does not transit through Venezuela.
Trump’s ultimatum to Maduro and subsequent declarations about Venezuela’s airspace closure raise questions about potential US military intervention. Although specifics remain unclear, the Trump administration has not dismissed the idea of ground operations in Venezuela. Military experts suggest that the current troop presence exceeds what would be necessary for a purely counter-narcotics mission.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c93n4nx5yqro?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss