US President Donald Trump recently refused to rule out a military strike against Venezuela, escalating tensions between the two nations. His comments followed weeks of heightened friction, including the deployment of US warships and troops to the Southern Caribbean, ostensibly targeting drug cartels. Trump directly accused Venezuela of sending gang members and drugs into the US, a claim vehemently denied by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
Maduro, in an interview with RT, countered that the US is using the drug trafficking narrative as a pretext for accessing Venezuela’s vast natural resources. He described the US actions as part of a broader ‘war plan’ aimed at global domination. This assertion underscores the deep-seated mistrust and animosity between the two countries.
The situation is further complicated by recent military incidents. The US Navy sank a Venezuelan boat, claiming it was carrying members of the Tren de Aragua gang. This action prompted a retaliatory flyover of a US warship by Venezuelan jets, leading Trump to threaten to shoot down any Venezuelan aircraft perceived as a threat.
Venezuela has also responded by deploying a significant number of troops to its border regions with Colombia, citing concerns about drug trafficking routes. This mobilization, coupled with Trump’s refusal to rule out a strike, has raised serious concerns about the potential for further escalation.
International observers, including Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, have expressed alarm over the escalating tensions, warning of potentially devastating consequences for regional and global security. The situation remains volatile, with the potential for a military confrontation casting a long shadow over the already strained relationship between the US and Venezuela.
