Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro stated Tuesday that the United States disseminates “false news” about his country, as Washington maintains a military deployment in the Caribbean under the premise of combating drug trafficking allegedly originating from the South American nation.
Rising Tensions
Maduro accused U.S. media of censorship, urging citizens – “women, in Spanish, in English, in wayúu” – to “break the veto” and share what he considers the “truth of Venezuela.” He did not specify which news reports he was disputing. The statement came as the Venezuelan armed forces, the Fuerza Armada Nacional Bolivariana (FANB), reportedly “shot down” nine aircraft on Monday, allegedly linked to drug trafficking in the state of Amazonas, bordering Brazil and Colombia.
The U.S. has maintained an aeronaval deployment in the Caribbean since August, ostensibly to counter narcotics trafficking. However, Caracas views this as a threat and a potential attempt to instigate a change in regime. The Trump administration has accused Maduro of leading the “Cártel de los Soles,” a purported criminal organization allegedly responsible for flooding U.S. streets with drugs – an accusation Caracas denies.
Escalating Actions
Tensions escalated following former President Trump’s announcement of a blockade of sanctioned oil tankers traveling to and from Venezuela, and the subsequent seizure of two vessels carrying Venezuelan crude oil. Trump also announced Friday an attack on a “large installation” at a dock as part of his anti-narcotics campaign originating from Venezuela, without specifying if the attack occurred on Venezuelan territory. According to the New York Times, the CIA carried out a drone strike last week against a port facility in Venezuela.
As of Tuesday, the Venezuelan government had not officially commented on the reported CIA attack.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the U.S. justification for its military presence in the Caribbean?
The U.S. government states its military deployment in the Caribbean is aimed at combating drug trafficking.
What is the “Cártel de los Soles”?
The “Cártel de los Soles” is a purported criminal organization that the U.S. government accuses President Maduro of leading, alleging it is responsible for drug trafficking into the United States. The Venezuelan government denies the existence of this cartel.
What action did the Venezuelan military reportedly take on Monday?
According to President Maduro, the Fuerza Armada Nacional Bolivariana (FANB) “shot down” nine aircraft allegedly linked to drug trafficking in the state of Amazonas.
How might the ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela evolve in the coming weeks and months?
