The Defense Department has confirmed a concerning incident involving two Venezuelan aircraft that approached a U.S. Navy vessel in international waters.
This event, described as a "highly provocative move," coincides with the Trump administration's intensified efforts to combat narco-terrorism. The Defense Department issued a stern warning, stating, "Today, two Maduro regime military aircraft flew near a U.S. Navy vessel in international waters. This highly provocative move was designed to interfere with our counter narco-terror operations."
The statement further advised the Venezuelan regime against any attempts to obstruct U.S. military operations targeting narcotics and terrorism.
As reported by Fox News, this incident follows a significant U.S. Marine strike on a cartel-operated vessel earlier in the week, resulting in the deaths of 11 members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, which is recognized as a terrorist organization by the United States.
This strike marks a notable shift from previous U.S. strategies, which primarily focused on seizure and apprehension, suggesting a more assertive approach under the Trump administration.
During a visit to Ecuador, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the reclassification of two gangs as foreign terrorist organizations, underscoring the administration's commitment to tackling the drug trade. Rubio criticized the Venezuelan leadership, particularly Nicols Maduro, labeling him an "indicted drug trafficker" and a "fugitive of American justice."
He elaborated, "Maduro is indicted by a grand jury in the Southern District of New York. That means the Southern District of New York presented the evidence to a grand jury, and a grand jury indicted him. And then a superseding indictment came out that was unsealed about a year and a half ago that specifically detailed Maduro's actions."
Rubio's remarks also hinted at a collaborative international effort to address the threat posed by cartels and gangs. He emphasized the role of "cooperative governments" in aiding the U.S. to identify and neutralize drug traffickers, stating, "blow them up, if thats what it takes."
This approach aligns with conservative principles of strong national defense and international cooperation to safeguard American interests. The Trump administration's decisive actions reflect a commitment to maintaining security and combating the influence of criminal organizations on a global scale.
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