A U.S. official that wishes to remain anonymous reported that the U.S. is or will send seven warships, along with one nuclear submarine, to the Southern Caribbean next week to combat Venezuela’s drug cartel. A move that raised the tension between the two nations.
Back in February, the administration of the U.S. President Donald Trump designated several drug cartels, including Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua, as global terrorist organizations, as part of an effort to limit migration and secure the U.S. southern border.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that this move allows the U.S. to use its military, intelligence agencies, and any other elements it possesses to target these groups at the first opportunity. The Pentagon has also been directed to prepare options to address these groups.
According to Reuters’ source, this naval force is composed of USS San Antonio, USS Iwo Jima, USS Fort Lauderdale, USS Lake Erie, and USS Newport News, along with more than 4,500 service personnel, including 2,200 Marines.
President of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro, has denounced the U.S. action while his U.N. Ambassador, Samuel Moncada, reported to the U.N. Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, accusing the U.S. of committing a military intervention, which violated the founding U.N. Charter.
This is not the first time that Trump has tried to send the U.S. military to go after drug cartels in foreign nations. Back in May, the president planned to send American troops to assist Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum in combating drug trafficking. However, she rejected such aid.
