The White House has escalated its rhetoric against Nicolás Maduro's regime, labeling it a "narcoterrorist cartel" and affirming that Donald Trump is ready to employ "every element of American power" to curb drug entry into the United States. During a press briefing, spokesperson Karoline Leavitt addressed a reporter's question regarding the deployment of warships and 4,000 Marines to waters near Venezuela.
While sidestepping confirmation of a potential ground military intervention, the spokeswoman made it clear that "President Trump has been very clear and consistent. He is prepared to use all of America's power to stop the drugs flooding into our country and bring those responsible to justice." Leavitt emphasized that the Trump administration does not view the Venezuelan regime as a legitimate government but rather as a criminal network. "The Maduro regime is a narcoterrorist cartel. Maduro is not an illegitimate president; he is a fugitive leader of this cartel, accused in the United States of trafficking drugs into our country."
These statements come amid a surge of measures against the Venezuelan leader. Washington recently doubled the reward for information leading to his capture, raising it to $50 million, and identifies him as the head of the so-called "Cartel of the Suns," accused of operating in alliance with the Tren de Aragua, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), and Mexican cartels.
U.S. Military Strategy in the Caribbean
The latest shift in Trump's strategy involves deploying three missile-guided destroyers, submarines, and surveillance aircraft in the Caribbean, marking one of the most aggressive U.S. military moves in the region in recent years.
From Caracas, Maduro and the high military command have rejected the accusations, labeling them an "imperial threat." The Venezuelan leader insists on defending "seas, skies, and lands," while government officials claim it is an attempt to justify intervention.
Implications for Cuba and Beyond
The hardening of U.S. policy towards Venezuela also resonates within the Cuban community, which closely watches as Trump links U.S. national security with drug trafficking and the regimes allied with Havana. The potential for military pressure to translate into direct actions keeps thousands of Cubans and Venezuelans, both inside and outside their countries, on edge. Many see these tensions as a factor that could reshape the continent's geopolitics and worsen the migration crisis affecting their communities.
U.S. and Venezuela: Key Questions Answered
Why is the U.S. targeting Nicolás Maduro's regime?
The U.S. accuses Nicolás Maduro's regime of being a narcoterrorist cartel involved in drug trafficking into the United States and seeks to curb this illegal activity.
What military actions has the U.S. taken near Venezuela?
The U.S. has deployed warships, Marines, and surveillance equipment in the Caribbean near Venezuela to increase pressure on Maduro's regime.
How has Maduro responded to U.S. accusations?
Maduro has dismissed the U.S. claims as an "imperial threat" and insists on defending Venezuelan sovereignty against potential interventions.