While the Trump administration has cast the military actions in the region as an effort to counter illicit drug flows, Caracas sees the moves as a pretext to force Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro from power. “Headed by the illegitimate Nicolas Maduro, the group has corrupted the institutions of government in Venezuela and is responsible for terrorist violence conducted by and with other designated FTOs as well as for trafficking drugs into the United States and Europe,” Rubio said in a post in X. Minister of Foreign Affairs Sean Sobers, who has been a vocal supporter of Trump’s strikes, said the exercises were the second such drills in less than a month and would help address violent crime linked to the country’s status as a stopover point for drug shipments.
Author: Al Jazeera Staff
Published at: 2025-11-16 22:09:11
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