Trump Says US to Take Land Action Against Venezuelan Drug Traffickers
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Trump Announces Expansion of Anti-Drug Operation Targeting Venezuela
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Updated November 28, 2023, 13:20:02 EST
Operation “southern Spear” Expands
During a Thanksgiving video call with U.S. troops stationed at Mar-a-Lago in Florida, former President Donald Trump announced plans to broaden the scope of “Southern Spear,” a U.S. military operation targeting alleged drug traffickers. Trump stated that the operation currently intercepts approximately 85% of drug shipments at sea.
“And we’ll be starting to stop them by land also. The land is easier, but that’s going to start very soon,” Trump said, according to reporting by The Guardian. This signals a potential shift in strategy from solely maritime interdiction to direct operations closer to Venezuelan territory.
Controversial Tactics and Rising Death Toll
The U.S. military has conducted over 20 strikes in international waters as part of “Southern Spear,” resulting in at least 83 confirmed fatalities, according to a tally compiled by Agence France-Presse. However,the United States has not publicly released evidence to substantiate claims that those killed were,in fact,drug traffickers.
These actions have sparked legal concerns regarding the lack of judicial oversight in the targeting and killing of individuals at sea. Critics argue that the absence of due process raises serious questions about the legality and morality of the operation.
venezuela’s Response and Accusations
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his government have consistently denied any involvement in illicit drug trafficking. They accuse the U.S. of using the anti-drug operation as a pretext for regime change, motivated by a desire to control Venezuela’s significant natural resources, particularly its vast oil reserves. Reuters reported on Venezuela’s strong condemnation of the operation.
Venezuela possesses the world’s largest proven oil reserves, estimated at 303.8 billion barrels as of January 2023, according to the