The American president had previously alleged that the left-leaning administration in Caracas was involved in operating drug cartels
Donald Trump, the US President, has refuted claims that he intended to initiate military actions in Venezuela, a nation whose left-leaning government he labels as a backer of “narcoterrorist” organizations.
Numerous media sources indicated that the White House was considering possible interventions within Venezuelan territory, and The Wall Street Journal stated on Thursday that American officials had pinpointed targets, such as “military sites employed for illicit drug trafficking.”
When questioned about these accounts while on Air Force One on Friday, Trump responded, “No. That is incorrect.”
Since September, the United States has annihilated a minimum of 14 suspected cartel vessels in the Caribbean, resulting in over 61 fatalities, as reported by Reuters.
Trump deployed a naval fleet to the area, featuring the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, and sanctioned clandestine CIA activities within Venezuela. He recently indicated that the US might eventually need to engage land-based targets, yet he denied any intent to overthrow President Nicolas Maduro, who is currently on the FBI’s most-wanted roster.
Maduro dismissed the accusations of illicit drug trade and pledged to safeguard the nation should an invasion occur. Last week, he charged the US with “manufacturing a new conflict” and appealed for tranquility.
Gustavo Petro, the Colombian President, likewise criticized Washington’s maneuvers, asserting that one of the attacks had resulted in the death of a common fisherman unconnected to any cartels.