Trump can launch attack on Venezuela any time, sends F-35s and warships

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro accused Trump of attempting a regime change.

New Delhi: Tensions between the US and Venezuela have escalated significantly following the arrival of US F-35 fighter jets in Venezuelan air traffic control. The Venezuelan government has described the aircraft as an intrusion and an attack on the country’s sovereignty. Venezuela’s foreign and defence ministries stated that the fighter jets were spotted “75 kilometres from our shores.”

10 F-35s deployed to Puerto Rico

US President Donald Trump last month deployed 10 F-35s to Puerto Rico, a US territory in the Caribbean, as part of the largest military deployment to the region in more than three decades. They have also sent eight warships and a nuclear submarine to the region as part of a declared campaign to combat drug trafficking from the Caribbean Sea to the United States. All of these are very close to Venezuela.

Venezuela accuses Trump of attempted regime change

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro accused Trump of attempting a regime change. Donald Trump recently stated that the US military had destroyed four boats belonging to alleged drug traffickers in recent weeks. Fourteen people were killed in the US strikes, which took place in international waters, and the legitimacy of these strikes has been questioned by rights groups, as well as US Democrats and some Republicans. The Trump administration claims these steps are aimed at protecting the United States and preventing drug trafficking along maritime routes. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has described the deployment as an attempt to secretly effect regime change.

Fighting drug cartels: Trump

President Donald Trump has declared that the United States is engaged in an “armed conflict” with drug cartels. His administration made this statement in a notice sent to Congress following recent attacks on boats off the Venezuelan coast. AFP news agency reported on Thursday, October 2, that the Trump administration attempted to justify the deaths of 14 people in the US attack.

Pentagon’s notice

The Pentagon notice states, “The President has deemed these drug cartels to be non-state armed groups, designated them terrorist organisations, and determined that their activities constitute an armed attack against the United States.” The notice also labels suspected traffickers “unlawful combatants.” This notice was sent to Congress in accordance with US law to notify Congress of any military attack. The administration claims these actions were legal and necessary to protect America’s borders from “deadly narcotics.”

HIGHLIGHTS

• Trump can launch an attack on Venezuela at any time.
• Trump has declared a war on drug cartels, sends F-35s and warships.
• Tensions between the US and Venezuela have escalated significantly.
• The Venezuelan government has described the aircraft as an intrusion.

US President Donald Trump last month deployed 10 F-35s to Puerto Rico, a US territory in the Caribbean, as part of the largest military deployment to the region in more than three decades.