The President of the United States, Donald Trump, warned that his administration will initiate ground military operations in Venezuela to combat drug traffickers, and that they go "much further" than a campaign of pressure against the chavista leader.
During a recent intervention, the U.S. president stated that Washington is prepared to move to a phase of direct action against the drug trafficking networks operating from Venezuelan territory.
"Very soon we will also begin on land. Because we know all the routes. We know all the houses. We know where they manufacture this trash," declared Trump, referring to the laboratories and drug trafficking routes controlled by groups associated with the Chavista regime.
When questioned about the pressure on Maduro's regime, Trump reiterated that operations on land similar to those conducted in international waters against boats supposedly loaded with narcotics could "soon" begin.
"I believe you will find a great receptiveness to do exactly what you are doing, dismantling those ships. And very soon we will start doing it on land as well," he emphasized.
These statements intensify the tension between Washington and Caracas, in a context where the Trump administration has maintained a firm stance against Nicolás Maduro, whom it accuses of harboring drug traffickers and violating the human rights of the Venezuelan people.
The Venezuelan journalist Orlando Avendaño shared the excerpt of the statements on his X (formerly Twitter) account, where Trump also mentioned the recent airstrikes against drug trafficking targets in the region.
The White House has not provided additional details about the scope or the start date of the ground operations, but sources close to the State Department claim that it would be a joint action with regional allies.
From Caracas, Maduro's regime has not commented on the new warnings from Trump, which could signal a new phase in U.S. policy toward Venezuela.
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