Trump reacts to report of B-1 bombers near Venezuela while threatening drug traffickers during WH roundtable
In a significant display of military readiness, two B-1 bombers departed from Dyess Air Base in Texas on Thursday morning, heading toward Venezuela, as reported by Fox News. This information, corroborated by senior U.S. officials and tracked via open-source flight data, raises questions about the U.S. government’s intentions regarding the South American nation. However, during a White House roundtable focused on immigration and crime, President Donald Trump refuted these reports, labeling them as “inaccurate” and “false.” He expressed his discontent with Venezuela, citing issues such as drug trafficking and the alleged exportation of prisoners into the United States. Despite Trump’s dismissal, the incident underscores the escalating tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela, particularly in light of the ongoing drug crisis.
During the roundtable discussion, Trump emphasized the U.S. government’s efforts to combat illegal drug smuggling, particularly from land routes. He warned that drug cartels may begin infiltrating the U.S. overland, a shift he deemed concerning. This aligns with recent military actions against drug trafficking, including a lethal strike on a suspected narco-trafficking vessel that resulted in the deaths of three individuals. This strike was part of a broader campaign, with nine vessel strikes reported since September, reflecting a heightened military response to drug-related threats. When questioned about the need for congressional approval for a declaration of war against the cartels, Trump indicated that such measures were unnecessary, asserting a more direct approach: “I think we’re just going to kill people that are bringing drugs into our country.” This statement encapsulates the administration’s aggressive stance on combating drug trafficking and suggests a potential escalation in military involvement in both Venezuela and the broader fight against drug cartels.
As the situation develops, the implications of these military maneuvers and the administration’s rhetoric could lead to a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy towards Venezuela and its approach to domestic drug-related issues. The combination of military readiness and a strong public stance against drug trafficking indicates that the Trump administration is prepared to take decisive action in what it views as a critical national security threat. Whether this will lead to a larger campaign for regime change in Venezuela or further military engagement remains to be seen, but the current trajectory suggests a willingness to confront perceived threats head-on.
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Fox News has learned two B-1 bombers took off from Dyess Air Base
in Texas
Thursday morning, flying toward Venezuela as seen on open source flight trackers, according to senior U.S. official sources.
During a White House roundtable on immigration and crime crackdowns Thursday, President Donald Trump denied the report, which was first published by
The Wall Street Journal
.
“No, it’s not accurate. It’s false,”
Trump said
. “But we’re not happy with Venezuela for a lot of reasons, drugs being one of them. But, also, they’ve been sending their prisoners into our country. … Nobody can do that.”
Secretary of War
Pete Hegseth
did not correct the president during the Q&A with reporters.
IS TRUMP’S ‘HEAT’ ON VENEZUELA THE START OF A WIDER CAMPAIGN FOR REGIME CHANGE?
During the
roundtable with law enforcement
and administration officials to discuss the successes of Homeland Security task forces, Trump honed in on the ongoing efforts to curb illegal drug smuggling into the U.S., noting he believes the cartels will begin infiltrating the U.S. by land.
“Now they’re coming in by land,” Trump said. “Even the land is concerned, because I told them … the land is going to be next. We may go to the Senate, we may
go to Congress
and tell them about it. But I can’t imagine they’d have any problem with it.”
TRUMP UNLEASHES US MILITARY POWER ON CARTELS. IS A WIDER WAR LOOMING?
“Between that and my discussion with [Chinese] President Xi, I think we have never made progress like we’ve made,” Trump added. “The sea drugs are almost dead, and they can’t come in that fast from the land. And the land drugs are much more dangerous for them. It’s going to be much more dangerous. You’ll be seeing that soon. So, that’s the way it is.”
Hours earlier, Hegseth confirmed the U.S. military carried out a lethal kinetic strike on a suspected narco-trafficking vessel Wednesday, killing three suspects.
TRUMP SAYS ‘WE’LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS’ WHEN ASKED ABOUT POSSIBILITY OF STRIKING VENEZUELA AMID RISING TENSIONS
The attack marked the ninth
vessel strike
since September and the second strike reported in the Eastern Pacific.
A total of 37 people have reportedly been killed, with two survivors later repatriating to their home countries.
When asked by reporters why he is not asking Congress to approve a declaration of war against the cartels, the president said he did not think it was needed.
“I don’t think we’re going to necessarily ask for a declaration of war,” Trump said. “I think we’re just going to kill people that are bringing drugs into our country. … They’re going to be, like, dead.”
Eric
Eric is a seasoned journalist covering US Politics news.
