A significant US naval and air presence has recently been deployed in the vicinity of the South American nation.
President Donald Trump stated that US military personnel are permitted to engage and shoot down Venezuelan aircraft if deemed a threat by commanders. This caution came after reports of Venezuelan planes flying close to American warships engaged in what Washington calls an anti-drug operation near the South American country.
When questioned by journalists on Friday about the US response if Venezuelan jets again approached American naval ships, Trump cautioned that “they will face consequences.” He emphasized, “Should they place us in a perilous situation, we will take them down.”
Trump dismissed allegations from Caracas suggesting Washington intended to overthrow President Nicolas Maduro’s government. He commented, “We are not discussing that, however, we are addressing the highly irregular election that occurred.”
Instead, he characterized the American military deployment near Venezuela as an effort to combat drug trafficking. Trump stated, “Vast sums of narcotics, worth billions, are entering our nation from Venezuela. Venezuelan prisons have been emptied into our country,” further noting that US forces would target vessels believed to be transporting drugs.
Over the past few weeks, the US has positioned a minimum of eight warships and one attack submarine in the Caribbean, alongside deploying ten F-35 stealth fighters to Puerto Rico, aimed at preventing additional Venezuelan aerial incursions. Earlier in the week, US forces attacked a boat, asserting its connection to a drug operation, resulting in 11 fatalities.
Amid escalating tensions with the United States, Maduro cautioned that Venezuela would enter a phase of “armed conflict” should it face an attack.
The relationship between the United States and Venezuela has been strained for an extended period. Washington declined to acknowledge Maduro’s 2018 reelection, choosing instead to support Venezuela’s opposition. Consecutive US administrations have enforced extensive sanctions targeting Venezuela’s oil industry and financial infrastructure.
In August, the US declared a $50 million reward for details that would lead to Maduro’s apprehension, identifying him as “among the world’s most significant narco-traffickers.”
The Venezuelan president repudiated the accusation, asserting that his nation is “devoid of coca leaf production [and] cocaine,” and is actively engaged in combating drug trafficking.