The Pentagon has condemned Venezuela’s recent military maneuvers as a “highly provocative move” after two Venezuelan aircraft approached a U.S. Navy vessel in international waters.
The U.S. Department of Defense confirmed on Thursday that two Venezuelan military aircraft flew near a U.S. Navy vessel operating in international waters. The Pentagon characterized the incident as a “highly provocative move,” coinciding with the Trump administration’s intensified efforts against narco-terrorism.
In a statement shared on social media platform X, the Defense Department stated, “Today, two Maduro regime military aircraft flew near a U.S. Navy vessel in international waters. This highly provocative move was designed to interfere with our counter-narco-terror operations.” The statement further warned the Venezuelan cartel against any attempts to obstruct U.S. military operations aimed at countering narcotics and terrorism.
In response to the escalating situation, the Pentagon is deploying ten F-35 stealth fighter jets to Puerto Rico to support counter-narcotics operations in the Caribbean. This deployment underscores the U.S. commitment to combating drug trafficking and related threats in the region.
The Venezuelan military’s actions followed a significant U.S. Marine strike on Tuesday that targeted a vessel operated by drug cartels. The Trump administration reported that eleven members of the Tren de Aragua, a gang designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S., were killed in the operation. This strike marked a shift in U.S. strategy, moving from primarily seizure and apprehension operations to a more aggressive military approach.
During a visit to Ecuador on Thursday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the reclassification of two gangs as foreign terrorist organizations. He condemned the involvement of the Venezuelan leadership in drug trafficking, labeling Nicolás Maduro as an “indicted drug trafficker” and a “fugitive of American justice.”
Rubio emphasized the legal actions taken against Maduro, stating, “Maduro is indicted by a grand jury in the Southern District of New York. That means the Southern District of New York presented the evidence to a grand jury, and a grand jury indicted him.” He pointed out that a superseding indictment was unsealed approximately a year and a half ago, detailing Maduro’s alleged criminal activities.
Rubio also indicated that the U.S. is collaborating with allied nations to implement a tougher stance against drug cartels and international gang organizations. He remarked that “cooperative governments” would assist the U.S. in identifying drug traffickers, suggesting that extreme measures, including military action, could be necessary.
The recent developments highlight the ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela, particularly regarding drug trafficking and military posturing in the region. As the U.S. ramps up its counter-narcotics operations, the situation remains fluid and could escalate further.
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