Washington: US President Donald Trump announced that he has made a definitive decision regarding potential actions on Venezuela, though he chose not to disclose specifics to reporters aboard Air Force One. "I can't tell you what it would be, but I sort of did," Trump commented when queried about his next steps, adding that significant progress has been made in curbing drug inflow from Venezuela.
According to Anadolu Agency, Trump emphasized the success of US efforts to mitigate narcotics trafficking, while acknowledging challenges with neighboring countries. "We have a Mexico problem. We have a Colombia problem," Trump stated. "We're doing very well. Drugs coming into our country are greatly slowed, as you can imagine."
In recent months, the US military has conducted lethal strikes on 21 vessels it alleges were engaged in drug transport from South America to the US. Despite the lack of evidence provided to substantiate these smuggling claims, these operations have reportedly resulted in 80 deaths. In reaction, Venezuela has deployed both regular military and civilian militias nationwide.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth unveiled a new mission, "Operation Southern Spear," aimed at eliminating "narco-terrorists from our hemisphere." Hegseth declared on the US social media platform X that President Trump had directed action, and the Department of War was executing the plan.
Media outlets reported that President Trump was briefed on military strategies concerning Venezuela, including the possibility of land strikes, by top military officials during a White House meeting. Defense Secretary Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine, along with senior officials, provided the president with military options for the forthcoming days.