Former President Donald Trump has declared that the United States will soon extend its military campaign against suspected Venezuelan drug traffickers to include land-based operations, signalling a major escalation in a conflict that has already seen dozens of casualties.
A Maritime Campaign Intensifies
The warning comes on the heels of a sustained maritime offensive. American forces have conducted at least 21 strikes on boats allegedly ferrying narcotics towards US shores over recent months. The Pentagon has released videos of these engagements, though it has yet to provide photographic evidence of the illicit cargo.
Speaking to military service members from Florida on Thursday, during the Thanksgiving holiday, Mr Trump outlined the next phase. "You probably noticed that people aren't wanting to be delivering by sea, and we'll be starting to stop them by land also," he stated. "The land is easier, but that's going to start very soon."
Terror Designations and Geopolitical Tensions
The US government has sought to legitimise its aggressive stance by formally designating Venezuelan drug gangs as foreign terrorist organisations. Just days before Mr Trump's comments, the Cartel de los Soles (Cartel of the Suns) was added to this list, placing it in the same category as groups like al Qaeda and Hamas.
The US alleges that the cartel is headed by Venezuela's President, Nicolas Maduro, and other high-ranking officials in his regime—a claim Mr Maduro vehemently denies. Another group, Tren de Aragua, received a similar terrorist designation in January.
This confrontation has resulted in a significant human cost. Venezuelan authorities report that the US strikes have killed more than 80 people, with the government in Caracas condemning the attacks as outright murder.
A Deepening Crisis with Global Repercussions
The situation is fraught with mutual accusations. Mr Maduro, widely viewed internationally as a dictator who has manipulated elections, asserts that the US is "fabricating" a war to overthrow him and install a favourable government. Venezuelan officials further claim that Mr Trump's true objective is to gain control of the nation's vast oil reserves, gold, and diamonds.
Analysts suggest that Venezuela's oil could become a critical bargaining chip in any future negotiations. While Mr Trump has previously expressed openness to talks, the prospect seems remote. In a defiant display this week, President Maduro was seen brandishing a sword, vowing to "defend every inch of this blessed land from imperialist threat."
Meanwhile, the strategic context of the drug trade adds another layer. Sky News analysis indicates that even if the targeted boats belong to cartels, the final destination for their cargo is more likely to be Europe and West Africa, rather than the United States. The US military buildup, which includes its most advanced aircraft carrier operating in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific under Operation Southern Spear, underscores the seriousness with which Washington is treating the situation.
