US conducts airstrike drills targeting Venezuela
President Donald Trump has accused the Venezuelan government of running “narcoterrorist” cartels and, on Saturday, declared that the country’s airspace should be considered closed to “all airlines, pilots, drug dealers, and human traffickers.”
This warning coincides with a growing US military presence in the Caribbean, where more than 20 vessels alleged to be involved in drug smuggling have reportedly been struck since September under Trump’s orders.
According to reports, Trump also reportedly warned Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro during a secret phone call last week that he might consider removing him from power unless he stepped down. While neither side has confirmed the call, Trump has previously denied plans to forcibly oust Maduro. In August, the US increased the bounty on Maduro’s arrest to $50 million.
"The Venezuelan Foreign Ministry rejected the threat against its aircraft as 'colonialist' aggression, illegal under international law."
In response, Maduro has placed the military on high alert, conducted drills, and pledged to repel any invasion. The Venezuelan government maintains that it has no involvement with drug cartels and asserts that Trump is using anti-drug operations as a pretext for regime change.
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