Trump Threatens Military Action Against Venezuelan Aircraft Near US Naval Vessels

On Friday, President Donald Trump warned that any Venezuelan military aircraft threatening U.S. naval vessels would be destroyed, intensifying tensions between Washington and Caracas as anti-drug operations expand in the Caribbean.

Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump declared that Venezuelan jets placing US vessels “in a dangerous position” would “be shot down.” The president’s remarks followed two recent incidents where Venezuelan military aircraft approached American ships off South America’s coast within a 48-hour period, according to US officials who briefed CBS News.

The confrontational rhetoric comes after American forces conducted a strike against what administration officials described as a drug-smuggling vessel operated by criminal organizations and originating from Venezuela. The operation resulted in 11 fatalities.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has categorically denied US accusations against his nation, stating that diplomatic disagreements do not warrant “military conflict.” Maduro emphasized his country’s openness to diplomatic engagement while demanding mutual respect from Washington.

In response to the rising tensions, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro said, “Venezuela has always been open to dialogue and willing to talk, but we insist on respect.”

When pressed by reporters about potential consequences if Venezuelan aircraft again approached US vessels, Trump indicated the South American nation would face serious repercussions. The president notably told his accompanying general that he possessed full authority to respond as deemed necessary should tensions escalate further.

Trump’s anti-narcotics campaign in Latin America has intensified significantly since his return to the White House in January. The administration has substantially increased military presence in the southern Caribbean region, deploying additional warships and thousands of Marines and sailors to combat drug trafficking routes.

The White House announced Friday the deployment of 10 F-35 fighter jets to Puerto Rico as part of the expanded military footprint. When questioned about the Caribbean buildup, Trump characterized the moves as demonstrating American strength against narcotics trafficking.

“I think it’s just strong. We’re strong on drugs. We don’t want drugs killing our people,” Trump explained.

Maduro has accused the United States of seeking “regime change through military threats.” Trump, however, sidestepped questions on that claim, instead pointing to what he described as Venezuela’s “very strange election.” Maduro began his third presidential term in January after a contested vote that drew widespread international criticism.

The president asserted that narcotics continue flooding into America from Venezuelan territory and claimed members of Tren de Aragua—a criminal organization designated as a terrorist group by US authorities—operate from Venezuelan soil.

Trump has consistently opposed Maduro’s government, recently increasing the reward for information leading to the Venezuelan leader’s capture to $50 million. He has described Maduro as “one of the world’s biggest narco-traffickers.”

During Trump’s previous presidency, federal prosecutors filed charges against Maduro and senior Venezuelan officials on multiple counts including narco-terrorism, corruption, and drug trafficking violations. Maduro has consistently rejected these allegations throughout the ongoing diplomatic dispute.

Source: BBC