The United States has reportedly been conducting rehearsals for airstrikes in Venezuela, according to a defense official and flight-tracking data obtained by the Wall Street Journal. This development comes as tensions between the US and Venezuela continue to escalate. President Donald Trump has accused the Venezuelan government of operating “narcoterrorist” cartels and recently announced that the country’s airspace would be closed to “all airlines, pilots, drug dealers, and human traffickers.”
The threat was made amid a significant buildup of US naval forces in the Caribbean Sea, where over 20 alleged drug-smuggling vessels have been struck since September under Trump’s orders. It is also reported that during a secret phone call, Trump told Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro that he would consider ousting him unless he stepped down. However, neither side has confirmed the conversation took place, and Trump has previously denied seeking to topple Maduro by force.
In August, the US increased the bounty for Maduro’s arrest to $50 million, further straining relations between the two countries. The Venezuelan Foreign Ministry has rejected the US threat against its aircraft as “colonialist” aggression, which it claims is illegal under international law. In response, Maduro has placed the army on high alert and conducted several drills, vowing to repel any potential invasion.
The Venezuelan government has denied allegations of aiding cartels, arguing that Trump is using a crackdown on drug trafficking as a pretext for regime change. The situation remains volatile, with the US maintaining a significant military presence in the region. The Venezuelan government’s stance is that it will defend its sovereignty against any external aggression, while the US continues to pressure Maduro’s administration over its alleged involvement in illegal activities.
The ongoing tensions between the US and Venezuela have significant implications for regional stability and international relations. As the situation continues to unfold, it is likely that the international community will be closely watching the developments between the two nations. The US actions in Venezuela are part of a broader effort to combat drug trafficking and terrorism in the region, but the methods and motivations behind these actions are subject to interpretation and controversy.