US President Donald Trump waves from the stairs of Air Force One. (Photo: AP) US President Donald Trump has said that he was not considering military strikes on land in Venezuela. When asked by reporters aboard Air Force One if he was considering strikes in Venezuela, Trump said ‘no’ and did not elaborate further.
US strikes on drug vessels
Trump’s comments come at a time when the US is stepping up strikes on boats allegedly carrying drugs in the Pacific Ocean. The US has alleged that the drug vessels are operated by Venezuelan gangs, including Tren de Aragua. In the nearly two months since the US military started targeting drug vessels in the open ocean, there have been 14 strikes in which 6 people have been killed.
US military build-up in the Caribbean
The US has also built up a large military presence in the Caribbean in recent months, with fighter jets, warships, and thousands of troops. That presence will significantly expand in the coming weeks with the arrival of the Gerald Ford aircraft carrier strike group.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has been indicted by the US on drug and corruption charges that he denies. Trump has also authorised the CIA to conduct covert operations in Venezuela, aimed at overthrowing the Maduro regime.
Venezuela’s opposition divided over US intervention
Meanwhile, the looming US action has divided Venezuela’s opposition.
One group, led by Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado, has aligned closely with Trump, arguing Maduro represents a direct threat to US national security, a Reuters report said.
The other group, led by two-time presidential candidate Henrique Capriles, rejects armed US intervention and advocates renewed negotiations with Maduro’s government and Trump, despite the limited success of previous talks.
