US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that the US would soon begin a land-based operation against Venezuelan drug traffickers. In a video conference call with deployed troops, Trump stated that the effort to halt these trafficking activities by land is imminent.
The remarks came as part of Trump's ongoing efforts to ramp up pressure on Venezuela, despite his recent statements suggesting openness to dialogue with President Nicolas Maduro. The US president claimed that 85% of drug shipments have been stopped at sea, but announced plans to shift focus to targeting traffickers on land.
The move has raised concerns in Caracas, where Maduro and his supporters see the operation as an attempt at regime change. Venezuelan authorities have responded by staging military exercises and mass rallies aimed at projecting strength and popular support.
The US military has been conducting a series of airstrikes against boats suspected of trafficking drugs in international waters, resulting in the deaths of at least 83 people. The Pentagon has also deployed aircraft carriers and other assets to the Caribbean region.
Air travel to and from Venezuela remains disrupted, with six major airlines suspending flights following safety warnings from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The FAA cited a "worsening security situation" in or around Venezuela as its reason for advising against flights.
The ban has affected over 8,000 passengers on at least 40 different flights, according to the Venezuelan Association of Travel and Tourism Agencies.
The remarks came as part of Trump's ongoing efforts to ramp up pressure on Venezuela, despite his recent statements suggesting openness to dialogue with President Nicolas Maduro. The US president claimed that 85% of drug shipments have been stopped at sea, but announced plans to shift focus to targeting traffickers on land.
The move has raised concerns in Caracas, where Maduro and his supporters see the operation as an attempt at regime change. Venezuelan authorities have responded by staging military exercises and mass rallies aimed at projecting strength and popular support.
The US military has been conducting a series of airstrikes against boats suspected of trafficking drugs in international waters, resulting in the deaths of at least 83 people. The Pentagon has also deployed aircraft carriers and other assets to the Caribbean region.
Air travel to and from Venezuela remains disrupted, with six major airlines suspending flights following safety warnings from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The FAA cited a "worsening security situation" in or around Venezuela as its reason for advising against flights.
The ban has affected over 8,000 passengers on at least 40 different flights, according to the Venezuelan Association of Travel and Tourism Agencies.
looks like they're gonna escalate things in Venezuela which is already a mess 
. Stats show that since Trump's presidency, US-Venezuela relations have been on a downward trend 
. Meanwhile, according to a recent report by the Peterson Institute for International Economics, Venezuelan exports to the US have dropped by 75% since 2017 
.
so now trump is like "let's go invade venezuela" 
but honestly who knows what's really going on? 85% of drug shipments stopped at sea sounds legit tho 
and btw, did u know that the FAA is warning ppl not to fly to venezuela? 
it's crazy how fast things can escalate in politics 
anyway, i'm just gonna sit here and watch this unfold with a mix of anxiety and anticipation... 
It feels like he's trying to take control or something, but then again, who can blame him for wanting to tackle the problem? 85% of shipments stopped at sea is still pretty impressive, I guess. But land-based ops mean more risk for innocent people... and it's not even clear if this will make a difference in the long run. Maduro's got some major backing from his people, so I don't think this is gonna be an easy win for Trump. 
This move by Trump is just another example of how the US can't even follow its own policy on Venezuela 
. And let's not forget about the human cost, 83 people already lost their lives in those airstrikes... isn't that what we're fighting against, terrorism and extremism? 
. I feel bad for all those travelers who are affected by this. It's like, can't they just have a peaceful dialogue with Maduro or something? 
Maduro's people are already on edge, what's gonna happen when the troops roll up on land? 
we need some diplomacy here not more militarism 
Trump is really taking it up a notch now! Targeting them traffickers on land? That's like playing with fire 
And to think they're still doing it, after all these airstrikes... I don't get why Trump can't just talk to Maduro like everyone else wants him to 
I'm so done with Trump's games 
! First, it's a sea-based operation, then suddenly land-based... can't he make up his mind?! 
. And now airlines are grounding flights and thousands of people are stuck... what's next?! 
. He's all talk, but what's he really planning? Is this a ploy to get attention before the midterms? And let's be real, how long can we trust his word on dialogue with Maduro when he's already talking tough about regime change? 
. We need concrete facts, not empty promises and military posturing. Meanwhile, the Venezuelan people are suffering, and it's time someone held Trump accountable for his actions 
. By the way, what's the real cost of these airstrikes? Are we just blowing through our budget on another failed policy? 
And 85% of shipments stopped at sea? That sounds like a pretty big number, but if it means keeping more people safe, I guess it's a good thing. But the fact that Maduro and his supporters are getting all worked up about this operation is not surprising - they must be feeling the pressure from Trump and the US government.