Trump announces destruction of a drug port in Venezuela with an airstrike
In a significant development indicating a new escalation in the United States' strategy toward Latin America, US President Donald Trump announced on Monday a targeted operation that destroyed a naval base in Venezuela. According to Trump's remarks from his Mar-a-Lago resort, the site was being used as a launching point for drug trafficking by boat, and he confirmed a "massive explosion" that completely obliterated the base and the boats there.
Details of the operation and the role of the Central Intelligence Agency
Despite the US president's secrecy regarding the identity of the perpetrators, American media outlets, citing informed sources, revealed precise details about the attack. CNN and The New York Times reported that the strike was carried out by a CIA drone, not the US military. The operation targeted an isolated landing pad used by the notorious Tren de Aragua drug cartel to store and ship narcotics. Sources indicated that the timing was carefully chosen to ensure the absence of personnel, resulting in the destruction of the infrastructure without any loss of life.
The context of the tension and the accusations of “drug terrorism”
This event cannot be separated from the tense political context between Washington and Caracas. For months, the Trump administration has been intensifying its maximum pressure campaign against the regime of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Washington accuses Maduro and his top officials of turning Venezuela into a narco-state, or what is known as "narco-terrorism," by allying with smuggling cartels to finance the regime and circumvent crippling economic sanctions. This strike reinforces Washington's message that it will not hesitate to target the infrastructure of these networks within Venezuelan territory.
From sea to land: A qualitative military escalation
This attack represents a strategic shift in the US rules of engagement in the region. While previous operations, which began last September, focused on intercepting boats in international waters of the Caribbean Sea and the eastern Pacific (resulting in the deaths of approximately 107 people in 30 naval strikes), targeting a fixed facility on Venezuelan soil sets a dangerous precedent that could be interpreted as the first actual ground strike. This shift opens the region to the possibility of escalation, especially given the Venezuelan government's continued silence and the US's ongoing efforts to force Maduro to step down.
The targeted “Tren de Aragua” gang
The choice of target, the Tren de Aragua cartel, suggests a U.S. desire to kill two birds with one stone: combating the flow of drugs into the United States and dismantling criminal networks believed to operate with the cover or tacit approval of local authorities. This cartel is considered one of the most dangerous transnational criminal organizations in South America, and its activities have expanded to several countries, making it a prime target for U.S. security agencies.
