Daijiworld Media Network - Washington

Washington, Oct 1: US. President Donald Trump has indicated that his administration is stepping up efforts to confront drug trafficking networks allegedly operating out of Venezuela. Speaking to reporters before departing the White House, Trump said, “Now we’ll look at cartels. We're going to look very seriously at cartels coming by land.”

His comments came in the wake of recent U.S. military operations in international waters of the southern Caribbean. The strikes targeted vessels that, according to the White House, were suspected of transporting narcotics from Venezuela. Reports suggest that up to 17 individuals were killed during these operations.

In parallel, the Trump administration has expanded its military presence in the region. According to The New York Times, more than 6,500 U.S. troops have been deployed to the Caribbean, alongside Navy warships, in what officials describe as a heightened crackdown on narco-trafficking.

While Venezuela has long been linked to drug smuggling routes, it is not considered a primary source of cocaine entering the United States. A 2020 U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) report confirms that although some shipments pass through Venezuela, the bulk originates elsewhere in South America.

Trump also addressed the issue on Truth Social, stating that at least three boats from Venezuela had been targeted in recent strikes. He claimed they were carrying drug traffickers and narcotics posing a threat to American citizens.

However, U.S. officials have not released full evidence showing that all the boats were transporting drugs. At a joint press conference in the Dominican Republic, a local official and a representative from the U.S. Embassy confirmed that narcotics were recovered from the sea following one of the incidents.