The United States could shortly launch land attacks on allegedly Venezuela-related drug operations, said president Donald Trump, claiming at the same time that they almost entirely stopped the influx of drugs by sea. Venezuela powerfully denies any connection to drug cartels.
On Friday, speaking to journalists in the White House, Trump stated that maritime drug trafficking linked to Venezuela had fallen by 92%, saying that US forces "eliminating drugs at unprecedented levels".
“We have eliminated 96% of the drugs supplied by water” He added, saying later: "We will shortly launch attacks on land".
However, the US leader did not supply any details of the possible objectives or scope of the operation.
Since September, US forces have importantly increased their military presence in the Caribbean and the east Pacific, carrying out over 20 attacks on ships suspected of smuggling drugs, resulting in dozens of deaths.
Trump argued that these operations saved tens of thousands of Americans, preventing drugs from entering the US.
Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro consistently rejected Trump's claims about Caracas' ties to drug cartels, accusing Washington of seeking to overthrow his government under the pretext of an anti-drug campaign.
This week the US authorities besides took over the Skipper tanker off the coast of Venezuela, a cargo ship allegedly transporting oil from Venezuela and Iran.
The Caracas authorities condemned the takeover as ‘dangerous theft’ and "criminal maritime piracy".
Meanwhile, Russia, which has long maintained close relations with Venezuela, publically supported Maduro this week.
According to the Kremlin, president Vladimir Putin "He expressed solidarity with the people of Venezuela and confirmed his support for Maduro's determination to defend national interests and sovereignty against abroad pressure".
Both leaders besides confirmed their commitment to the signing of the strategical Partnership Treaty in May.
Translated by Google Translator
source:https://www.rt.com/news/629412-trump-teases-land-strikes-venezuela/
