The President of the United States, Donald Trump, announced this Thursday that his administration will begin to apprehend drug traffickers linked to Nicolás Maduro's regime "by land, very soon," as part of its offensive against regional drug trafficking networks.
The official stated that Washington will expand its interdiction operations beyond the Caribbean Sea.
"We will also stop them by land very soon. It's easier by land. So they stop sending poison," said Trump, referring to drug trafficking from Venezuela.
Trump made these statements during a meeting with members of the armed forces, held in honor of the National Guard members who passed away following the shooting that occurred on Wednesday near the White House in Washington.
Hours before the threat from the president of the United States, the ruler of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, ordered the Bolivarian Military Aviation to “be alert and ready” in the face of what he considers an “imperialist threat” from the United States and asserted that, if history leads the country to declare itself a “republic in arms,” its destiny would be “victory.”
In an event marking the 105th anniversary of the Bolivarian Military Aviation, broadcast by the state channel Venezolana de Televisión, the dictator addressed the air force officers dressed in an olive green uniform and a red cap, reported the agency EFE.
"I ask you to always remain unshakeable in your serenity, alert, ready, and willing to defend our rights as a nation, as a free and sovereign homeland, and I know you will never fail Venezuela," he said.
In the midst of a situation characterized by a hardening of the official rhetoric, Nicolás Maduro asserted that Venezuela is going through a decisive phase, emphasizing the need to unite against what he labels as foreign aggressions. This same tone was echoed by other high-ranking officials of the regime.
The number two of the Venezuelan regime, Diosdado Cabello, openly challenged international airlines that have canceled their flights to Caracas, accusing them of acting under political pressure, and supported the government's decision to revoke licenses from companies such as Iberia, TAP, Turkish Airlines, Avianca, or Latam Colombia.
Previously, in an unexpected turn of events, Donald Trump suggested the possibility of a dialogue with Maduro, to which the Chavista leader responded by saying that "everything is possible" if it is based on mutual respect.
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