Trump Announces Ground Operations in Venezuela “Soon”

President Donald Trump has said the United States will soon launch ground operations in Venezuela to curb drug trafficking, an announcement made amid rising tensions with Caracas. Venezuela has accused Washington of plotting to overthrow President Nicolás Maduro.

The information was reported on Friday (28 September) by Al Jazeera.

According to the report, in recent weeks the U.S. has deployed aircraft carriers, stealth fighter jets, and thousands of troops across Latin America. During this time, U.S. forces have carried out multiple attacks on alleged drug-trafficking boats in international waters, killing dozens of people.

In a Thanksgiving video message addressed to American troops, Trump said, “You are the backbone of America’s air power. In recent weeks, you have worked to stop Venezuelan drug traffickers.”

He added, “Not much is coming through the sea anymore. We will very soon start stopping them on land as well… About 85 percent of the sea routes have already been shut down.”

Al Jazeera reported that since September, the U.S. has launched more than 20 attacks in the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, killing at least 83 people. Latin American governments and legal experts have described the attacks as extrajudicial killings.

Washington has yet to provide evidence that the vessels targeted were involved in drug trafficking. Regional leaders say many of the dead were fishermen or local boat operators, not smugglers.

Trump has long threatened possible military action against Venezuelan installations, claiming the Maduro government is linked to drug trafficking. In response, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro said foreign and imperial powers have been spreading false allegations for 17 weeks in an attempt to destabilise the region. “No one in the world believes these claims,” he said.

Maduro added, “The people of Venezuela never fear. They are ready to defend their land, sea, sky, and history.”