US-Venezuelarelations escalate as two military aircraft fly over an American vessel in Venezuelan airspace.
In a recent development, tensions between the United States and Venezuela have escalated following an airstrike ordered by President Donald Trump. The incident occurred in the Caribbean Sea, where the U.S. military conducted a strike against a speedboat, according to Washington.
The speedboat, allegedly belonging to a criminal group linked to Venezuelan President NicolΓ‘s Maduro, was targeted due to claims that it was bringing drugs into the United States. This assertion was made by President Trump himself.
In response, Maduro has mobilised new recruits and announced the activation of the National Militia, promising to turn the country into "a republic in arms" in case of an attack. He has also accused the U.S. of extrajudicial killings, following the airstrike that resulted in the death of 11 suspected drug traffickers.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has reiterated that operations will continue, stating, "We will find these traffickers and blow them up, with or without the help of their governments". The Pentagon announced it will send ten F-35 fighter jets to Puerto Rico, following the airstrike, as part of increased military presence due to tensions with Venezuela and efforts against drug cartels.
Warships and a nuclear submarine have been deployed by the U.S. in the Caribbean Sea, adding to the escalating tensions. The Maduro government is accused by Washington of protecting drug cartels, a claim that Caracas denies. They claim that there was no evidence that those on board the speedboat were armed or posed an imminent threat.
The episode has sparked a divide among regional countries, with some supporting Trump's hardline stance, while Colombia and Venezuela challenge the legality of the offensive. The U.S. has doubled the bounty on Maduro to $50 million, further fuelling the ongoing conflict.
As the situation continues to unfold, both nations remain locked in a tense standoff, with potential repercussions for the region and beyond.
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