Donald Trump has stated that if Venezuelan jets approach US naval ships and create a dangerous situation, they will be shot down. This warning follows incidents where Venezuelan military aircraft flew near a US vessel off the coast of South America, according to US officials.
The remarks come after a US military strike that targeted a vessel from Venezuela, linked to drug trafficking, resulting in the deaths of 11 individuals. Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has denied the US accusations, asserting that existing disagreements between the two nations do not warrant military conflict. He emphasized Venezuela’s openness to dialogue while demanding mutual respect.
In response to questions regarding potential future encounters between Venezuelan jets and US vessels, Trump indicated that Venezuela would be in “trouble.” He also suggested that his military general has the authority to take action if the situation escalates. Since Trump returned to office in January, he has ramped up efforts against drug trafficking in Latin America.
Maduro has accused the US of attempting to enforce regime change through military threats. When Trump was questioned about this claim, he refrained from engaging but described the election in Venezuela as “very strange,” referencing Maduro’s recent swearing-in for a third term amid contested electoral circumstances.
Trump indicated that drugs are increasingly entering the US from Venezuela and mentioned the presence of Tren de Aragua, a gang designated as a terrorist organization in the US. In light of these issues, the US military has bolstered its presence in the Caribbean, deploying additional naval vessels and personnel to address drug trafficking concerns. The White House has announced the deployment of 10 F-35 fighter jets to Puerto Rico.
Trump’s longstanding criticism of Maduro includes a doubled reward for information leading to his arrest, recently set at $50 million. During his previous administration, Maduro and other high-ranking Venezuelan officials faced various charges, including narco-terrorism and drug trafficking. Maduro has consistently rejected these allegations.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cr70511v774o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss