US President Donald Trump has renewed his accusation that Venezuela is sending gang members and drugs to the United States, labeling it as not acceptable.
Tension has been high between the two countries since the US deployed warships to the Southern Caribbean for counter-narcotics operations.
As part of that deployment, the US launched an attack on a boat said to be carrying drugs from Venezuela, resulting in the deaths of all 11 individuals on board.
When asked by a journalist about potential US strikes on mainland Venezuela, Trump responded, We'll see what happens.
During a press conference in New Jersey, the president claimed that Venezuela was sending us their gang members, their drug dealers and drugs and noted a significant reduction in maritime traffic in the Southern Caribbean since the initial strike.
Legal experts have raised concerns about the attack on September 2, questioning its compliance with international law. Venezuela's government reacted by sending two F-16 fighter jets over a US Navy destroyer just two days later.
This prompted Trump to issue a warning that any Venezuelan jets that put us in a dangerous situation would be shot down.
The situation escalated again on Saturday when Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil accused US forces of boarding a Venezuelan vessel. Gil condemned the boarding of the small, harmless fishing boat as illegal and hostile.
The Venezuelan foreign ministry suggested that those who ordered the seizure were seeking an incident to justify escalating conflict in the region, aiming for regime change in Caracas.
The US, along with countries like the UK, has not recognized Nicolás Maduro's re-election in July 2024, citing evidence from opposition-backed observers that his opponent, Edmundo González, won decisively.
US officials accuse Maduro of leading a drug cartel known as the Cartel of the Suns and have offered a reward of $50 million for information leading to his capture. Maduro, in turn, denies these accusations, labeling them as imperialistic efforts aimed at his government.
Maduro called on Venezuelans to join the militia, claiming the group was initially formed to bolster attendance at political events. Reports indicate public sector workers are facing pressure to enroll.
