Trump Intensifies Military Rhetoric Against Venezuela Amid Thanksgiving Teleconference

During a Thanksgiving video teleconference with members of the Armed Forces, US President Donald Trump escalated his confrontational rhetoric towards Venezuela amidst rising tensions and military operations. Trump suggested that the United States may soon begin detaining Venezuelan drug traffickers on land, continuing a strategy he views as successful against drug trafficking, which he blames on the Nicolás Maduro regime. "We warned them: Stop sending poison to our country," Trump stated, referring to the ongoing issues related to drug trafficking. Since September 2, the US military has intensified its operations under what has been retroactively dubbed the Southern Spear, conducting airstrikes that have resulted in the destruction of at least 21 vessels and the deaths of at least 83 individuals, primarily in Caribbean waters. However, US authorities have yet to produce concrete evidence linking these targets to drug trafficking activities. Furthermore, they have not released information about the identities of those killed. During his teleconference, Trump noted that drug transportation via sea has plummeted, indicating a shift to land operations, saying, "The land is easier." This statement follows his administration's narrative of Venezuela as a significant player in the illicit drug trade, despite evidence showing that fentanyl—the leading contributor to the United States' opioid crisis—primarily arrives from Mexico and China, not Venezuela. The military buildup in the Caribbean has grown since late August with the deployment of the USS Gerald Ford, the largest aircraft carrier in the US Navy, marking a significant increase in operations against suspected drug trafficking boats. Compounding the pressure on the Maduro government, the State Department has also classified the so-called 'Cartel of the Suns' as a terrorist organization, associating it with Maduro's regime. Additionally, the bounty on Maduro has been doubled to $50 million. In a contradictory stance, Trump hinted at the possibility of negotiations with Maduro during his Thanksgiving address, expressing a willingness to engage in talks to save lives. However, he also warned that if negotiations fail, he is prepared to achieve his objectives through force. The uncertainty surrounding a potential dialogue between the two leaders raises questions about the US's future course of action in Venezuela. Recent polling indicates that a significant portion of the American public—and Trump's own supporter base—opposes military intervention, with around 70% of respondents disapproving of the concept. On the Venezuelan side, Maduro's response to the heightened tensions has been multifaceted, oscillating between vehemently condemning US threats and calling for national unity while also seeking peaceful discourse and harmony. As the situation evolves, the potential for both military and diplomatic solutions continues to create a complex and precarious atmosphere in the Caribbean region. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2