Trump announces plans for land missions targeting drug routes in Venezuela
The US prepares for a ground operation against drug trafficking in Venezuela (Illustrative photo: Getty Images)
The US is preparing for a new phase in its fight against drug trafficking on Venezuelan territory, focusing on the land routes that continue to carry the bulk of illicit drugs, according to a White House livestream on YouTube.
US President Donald Trump stated that the volume of drugs entering via maritime routes has fallen to less than 5% of last year’s level.
He noted that this outcome was achieved thanks to enhanced monitoring and active operations by US military forces in the Gulf of Mexico.
According to him, there are currently virtually no vessels in the region, including fishing boats, which demonstrates the effectiveness of the measures taken.
Trump emphasized that the main flow of drugs has now shifted to land, meaning the next phase in combating smuggling will focus on eliminating terrestrial routes.
The US president added that he is considering approaching Congress and the Senate to secure political support for this initiative, noting that he does not anticipate objections to such actions.
Next Phase – Operations in Venezuela
The American president stated that Washington intends to focus on combating drug production and smuggling directly in Venezuelan territory.
He noted that this could involve conducting ground operations aimed at dismantling the logistical chains that supply drugs to Central and North America.
Trump emphasized that the fight against drug trafficking has already yielded tangible results and has become one of the most successful areas of US national security policy.
He also noted that drugs cause the deaths of approximately 300,000 people each year, prompting the US to intensify pressure on international drug networks.
The US president added that, through a combination of implemented measures and diplomatic efforts - including negotiations with Chinese leadership - the country has made significant progress in countering drug trafficking and intends to continue strengthening oversight.
The White House indicated that a potential meeting between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin is not ruled out, but would only take place if the talks yield concrete and positive results.
Trump also reminded that the impact of US sanctions on the Russian economy is expected to become apparent within six months. He stated that if Vladimir Putin believes the restrictions will have little effect, time will reveal the accuracy of that claim.
