US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that the United States will “very soon” begin taking action to stop suspected Venezuelan drug traffickers on land. Speaking virtually to US military personnel, Trump emphasized that while maritime interdictions had been ongoing, the next phase of operations would focus on land routes, which he described as easier to target.
Trump’s remarks come amid ongoing tensions with Venezuela, as his administration has publicly accused President Nicolas Maduro of facilitating the trafficking of illegal drugs into the United States, which the White House has linked to numerous American deaths. Maduro has consistently denied any involvement in the drug trade, rejecting claims made by US officials.
So far, US forces deployed in the region have primarily carried out counter-narcotics operations at sea. Since September, at least 21 strikes have targeted alleged drug-carrying vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific, reportedly resulting in the deaths of 83 individuals. These operations have involved a significant concentration of military assets, far exceeding the resources typically required for maritime interdictions.
The announcement signals an expansion of US efforts, moving from a maritime focus to addressing trafficking along Venezuelan land routes.
While specific operational details were not provided, the statement underscores an intensification of counter-narcotics measures in the region, coinciding with the deployment of additional US military forces to the Caribbean.
Reports of an impending escalation in US activity against Venezuelan drug networks have circulated for weeks, fueled by both military deployments and statements from officials. Reuters cited four US sources last weekend indicating that a new phase of operations targeting Venezuela was imminent.
The Trump administration has framed these measures as part of a broader effort to disrupt the flow of narcotics and hold Maduro accountable for alleged complicity.
While Venezuela’s government has not yet commented on the latest announcement, the forthcoming land-focused operations mark a significant shift in the United States’ approach to combating the transnational drug trade in the region. The move is expected to heighten tensions between the two countries further.
