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 Trump announced plans to intensify efforts against Venezuelan drug traffickers, stating that the U.S. will “very soon” begin intercepting these criminals “by land.” This declaration comes as part of a broader strategy to combat the influx of narcotics from Venezuela, which Trump emphasized is responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Americans each year. He praised the U.S. Air Force’s 7th Bomb Wing for their ongoing operations that have reportedly made significant progress in deterring maritime trafficking, claiming that approximately 85% of drug transport by sea has been halted. However, Trump acknowledged a shift in tactics among traffickers, indicating that they are increasingly opting for land routes to smuggle drugs into the U.S.
The urgency of this issue is underscored by the alarming statistics surrounding drug-related deaths in the country, which have reached epidemic proportions. Trump’s remarks highlight the administration’s commitment to addressing this crisis, and he warned traffickers to cease their operations or face consequences. Notably, earlier this month, Trump hinted at the possibility of deploying U.S. ground troops to Venezuela as part of a crackdown on criminal networks linked to the Venezuelan government and drug exports. This statement reflects a significant escalation in U.S. military posture in the region, particularly in light of recent operations that have targeted vessels associated with Venezuelan gangs like Tren de Aragua and Colombia’s Ejército de Liberación Nacional. Since September, U.S. forces have conducted at least 21 lethal strikes on drug boats, signaling a robust military response to the ongoing drug trafficking crisis.
As the situation evolves, the White House has remained relatively quiet on the specifics of these new land operations, but the President’s comments indicate a shift in strategy that could lead to increased military engagement in the region. The implications of this approach could have far-reaching consequences for U.S.-Venezuelan relations and the broader fight against drug trafficking in Latin America. With the stakes so high, the administration’s next steps will be closely monitored by both domestic and international observers.
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.
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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.
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