Trump says US will begin stopping Venezuelan drug traffickers by land: ‘Going to start very soon’
In a recent address to U.S. service members at Dyess Air Force Base in Texas, President Donald Trump announced that the United States will soon intensify efforts to intercept suspected Venezuelan drug traffickers “by land.” During his Thanksgiving remarks, Trump commended the work of the U.S. Air Force’s 7th Bomb Wing in combating drug networks linked to Venezuela, noting a significant shift in trafficking methods. He emphasized that while maritime routes have become increasingly difficult for traffickers due to U.S. military interventions, land routes remain vulnerable and will be targeted in the near future. “It’s about 85% stopped by sea,” Trump stated, highlighting the effectiveness of current operations and signaling a forthcoming escalation on land.
The president’s comments come amid a broader crackdown on drug-related crimes associated with Venezuela’s leadership, which has been linked to the export of harmful substances into the United States. Trump remarked on the devastating impact of these drugs, stating they are responsible for the deaths of “hundreds of thousands of people a year” in America. This alarming statistic underscores the urgency of the U.S. government’s efforts to combat drug trafficking. Additionally, Trump hinted at the possibility of deploying ground troops to Venezuela, stating, “No, I don’t rule out that, I don’t rule out anything,” when asked about military intervention. This statement reflects the administration’s increasingly aggressive stance towards Venezuela and its criminal networks, particularly the Tren de Aragua gang and Colombia’s Ejército de Liberación Nacional, which have been targeted in a series of lethal strikes on drug boats in international waters since early September.
As the situation unfolds, the administration’s strategy appears focused on dismantling the operations of these traffickers, with recent military actions resulting in the destruction of dozens of vessels. The implications of such a strategy could reshape U.S.-Venezuela relations and significantly impact the ongoing battle against drug trafficking in the region. With the promise of intensified land operations and a potential increase in military presence, the U.S. aims to send a clear message to those involved in the drug trade: “stop sending poison to our country.” As the administration prepares for these new measures, the international community will be watching closely to see how these developments unfold and what they mean for the future of U.S. engagement in Latin America.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BINgShZqcjk
President Trump on Thursday said the U.S. will “very soon” begin stopping suspected Venezuelan
drug traffickers
“by land.”
Speaking to U.S. service members on Thanksgiving, Trump praised the
U.S. Air Force’s 7th Bomb Wing
at Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene, Texas, and their efforts to deter Venezuelan drug networks.
“In recent weeks, you’ve been working to deter Venezuelan drug traffickers, of which there are many,” Trump said. “Of course, there aren’t too many coming in by sea anymore. Have you probably noticed that?”
The president noted that drug traffickers are killing “hundreds of thousands of people a year” in the U.S. from the “poisons” that they bring in.
US TROOPS IN VENEZUELA? TRUMP HINTS MAJOR MOVES POSSIBLE AS TENSIONS SOAR
“From sending their poisons into the United States, where they kill hundreds of thousands of people a year — but we’re going to take care of that situation,” Trump said. “We’re already doing a lot … It’s about 85%
stopped by sea.”
The president added, “You probably noticed that now people aren’t wanting to be delivering by sea, and we’ll be starting to stop them by land also. The land is easier, but that’s going to start very soon.”
“We warn them, ‘stop sending poison to our country’,” Trump said.
US MILITARY KILLS 2 SUSPECTED NARCO-TERRORISTS IN 16TH EASTERN PACIFIC STRIKE, HEGSETH SAYS
Earlier this month, Trump said he was not ruling out sending U.S. ground troops into
Venezuela amid
his administration’s crackdown on criminal networks tied to the country’s top leadership and drugs that are exported from it.
“No, I don’t rule out that, I don’t rule out anything,” Trump said Nov. 17 when asked if he had ruled out sending U.S. troops to Venezuela.
US CARRIES OUT MORE ‘LETHAL’ STRIKES ON ALLEGED DRUG BOATS IN INTERNATIONAL WATERS, SECRETARY HEGSETH SAYS
Since early September, strikes across the Eastern Pacific and Caribbean have destroyed dozens of vessels, many tied to Venezuela’s
Tren de Aragua
gang and Colombia’s Ejército de Liberación Nacional.
The administration has since carried out at least 21 fatal strikes on the boats.
The White House did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
Fox News Digital’s Greg Wehner and Emma Colton contributed to this report.
