President Trump has reportedly ceased all diplomatic outreach to Venezuela, frustrated with President Maduro’s continued reluctance to leave office and rejection of ties with drug cartels. The administration has prepared multiple military plans, including the potential ousting of Maduro, while the U.S. military has conducted at least four strikes on vessels suspected of drug trafficking. Top officials are now asserting that those involved in drug trafficking towards the U.S. are legitimate targets. The Venezuelan government has responded by reporting their concerns about a potential false flag operation targeting the U.S. Embassy in Caracas.
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U.S. military officials are preparing options for strikes within Venezuela against drug traffickers, potentially starting in weeks, motivated by the alleged insufficient efforts of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to stop drug flow. These plans primarily involve drone strikes on drug trafficking groups and labs. The Trump administration has already escalated its military campaign, targeting vessels allegedly carrying drugs from Venezuela, and discussions between the U.S. and Venezuela are underway through intermediaries. The U.S. has significantly increased military presence in the region, suggesting the administration is willing to use any means necessary to combat the illegal drug trade and potentially instigate regime change.
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Colombian President Petro stated that no deaths should occur when intercepting speedboats suspected of drug smuggling, emphasizing a history of collaboration with U.S. agencies. He believes the use of more force than a pistol would violate the principle of proportionality. This comes amidst U.S. strikes in international waters, mainly targeting Venezuela, with questions raised by Democratic lawmakers and UN experts regarding their legality. Petro accused the Trump administration of humiliation and suggested his nation would not be subjugated, indicating escalating tensions and friction between the two countries.
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Colombian President Gustavo Petro has called for a criminal investigation against Donald Trump and other U.S. officials regarding deadly strikes on boats in the Caribbean. Petro directly accused Trump of criminalizing poverty and migration while speaking at the U.N. General Assembly, stating that the boat passengers were not members of a gang as claimed by the U.S. government. The attacks, which the U.S. government claims were targeting drug trafficking, have resulted in multiple deaths and prompted a response from Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who is preparing decrees to defend the country’s sovereignty. The justification for the military actions, and the methods of assessing cargo and affiliation, remain unclear.
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Russian authorities confiscated over 1.5 tons of cocaine at the port of St. Petersburg, originating from Ecuador. The illicit drugs, concealed within a container of bananas, have an estimated street value exceeding 20 billion rubles ($240 million). This significant seizure of cocaine, a frequently trafficked substance, prompted the immediate opening of a criminal investigation.
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Venezuelan authorities have reported the seizure of nearly 3.7 metric tons of cocaine and the arrest of several individuals, including a purported DEA agent. The intercepted speedboat, carrying the illicit cargo, originated from Colombia’s Guajira region and was linked to a trafficking group. According to Venezuelan officials, the detainees confessed the shipment was part of a “false flag operation” aimed at falsely implicating Venezuela in international drug trafficking. The announcement comes amid ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela over drug enforcement and accusations of the country becoming a hub for cocaine shipments.
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President Trump identified 23 countries, including China, Afghanistan, India, and Pakistan, as major drug transit or illicit drug-producing nations, citing the threat they pose to the U.S. due to illicit drug manufacturing and trafficking. The “Major’s List” was delivered to Congress, designating these countries as responsible for sourcing and transporting drugs into the U.S. The State Department noted that Afghanistan, Bolivia, Burma, Colombia, and Venezuela have notably failed to make substantial efforts in counternarcotics. The listing considers various factors enabling drug transit or production, even if a government has taken counter-drug measures, with specific concerns raised about China’s role in precursor chemicals and Afghanistan’s ongoing drug production.
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An Australian pilot died after his plane crashed in Brazil, reportedly carrying around 200kg of cocaine disguised in fake SpaceX packaging. The plane, which was registered to Zambia, crashed in a sugarcane field, scattering debris and drugs. Authorities are investigating the international drug trafficking, seeking to determine the origin and destination of the flight, as well as identifying the owner of the illicit material. This seizure of cocaine adds to the already high amounts seized by the Federal Police in 2024.
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The US has designated Colombia as a country that has “demonstrably failed” to meet its obligations to control drug trafficking, citing record cocaine production under President Gustavo Petro’s administration. Colombia’s government responded by announcing it would stop purchasing weapons from the US. The US attributed the surge to Petro’s policies, specifically peace talks with armed groups involved in drug trafficking, despite Petro’s claims that the increases occurred during the previous administration. While the US has not cut off aid, it has put pressure on the Colombian government to take more action, opening the possibility for recertification if aggressive steps are taken.
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The U.S. military conducted a strike on an alleged Venezuelan drug vessel in international waters, resulting in the deaths of three individuals. President Trump claimed the action targeted “violent drug trafficking cartels,” and the attack was recorded with evidence of cocaine and fentanyl. The strike followed an earlier attack that killed 11, escalating tensions and drawing condemnation from Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who vowed to defend against U.S. “aggression.” Legal experts raised concerns about the legality of the initial attack under international law, and Venezuela responded by flying fighter jets over a U.S. Navy destroyer.
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John Q. Hosedrinker