According to records obtained by the AP, Delcy Rodríguez, the acting president of Venezuela, has been a priority target of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration for years, with a detailed intelligence file dating back to 2018. The DEA’s interest stems from allegations of drug trafficking, gold smuggling, and money laundering, including ties to Maduro’s alleged bag man, Alex Saab. Despite these investigations, the U.S. government has not publicly accused Rodríguez of any criminal wrongdoing, and Trump has praised her. These investigations highlight the complex relationship between the U.S. and Venezuela, particularly as the U.S. seeks to navigate a post-Maduro Venezuela.
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Following a discussion with U.S. President Donald Trump, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has firmly rejected any U.S. military intervention to combat drug cartels, emphasizing Mexico’s sovereignty. Sheinbaum stated that the conversation focused on security, drug trafficking, trade, and investment, maintaining a collaborative approach without subordination. Despite Trump’s earlier suggestions of military action, Sheinbaum confirmed that she declined any such offers. Furthermore, Sheinbaum noted a reported 50% decrease in fentanyl trafficking from Mexico to the U.S. over the past year.
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The Justice Department’s revised indictment of Nicolás Maduro, while still accusing him of “narco-terrorism” and drug trafficking, now describes the Cártel de los Soles as a “patronage system” rather than a literal organization. This shift contrasts with the original 2020 indictment and highlights inconsistencies within the government, as the Treasury and State Departments continue to designate Cártel de los Soles as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. This designation is key for Trump, who has been using it rhetorically to justify policies, like the summary execution of suspected drug smugglers, blurring the lines between drug trafficking and violent aggression. Critics argue that the FTO label is being applied loosely, even when it lacks a strong legal or factual basis, particularly in cases like Cártel de los Soles.
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Republican Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has expressed concern regarding federal drug trafficking charges against his family’s former bodyguard, Justin Salsburey. Salsburey and his wife, Ruthann Rankin, are accused of conspiring to distribute large quantities of narcotics via mail. The security firm that employed Salsburey immediately removed him from the Ramaswamy family’s detail upon learning of the charges. Despite passing multiple background checks and drug tests, Salsburey is currently being held in jail.
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The Royal Netherlands Navy will temporarily suspend joint operations with the United States in the Caribbean Sea, as announced by the Dutch Ministry of Defence. This decision stems from differing approaches to intercepting suspected vessels near Venezuela, specifically the U.S. policy of attacking vessels, which the Netherlands views as leading to deaths without due process. The Dutch Navy has closely coordinated with the U.S. Coast Guard, relying on U.S. intelligence to board suspicious vessels and intercept significant quantities of cocaine in the region. Although joint operations are suspended, the Netherlands remains committed to combating drug trafficking and will reassess its tactics and partnerships.
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Former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro entered a New York federal court on Monday and pleaded not guilty to charges of narco-terrorism and drug trafficking. The charges include conspiracy, cocaine importation, and weapons offenses, alleging that Maduro worked with drug cartels. If convicted, he could face life in prison. Maduro’s legal team is expected to challenge the legality of his arrest, arguing immunity. This dramatic U.S. intervention, which the U.S. defends as a law enforcement action, has triggered global condemnation, an emergency U.N. Security Council meeting, and diverse responses from the Venezuelan government and international actors, with implications for the country’s oil reserves and political future.
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Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro announced his openness to talks with the US regarding drug trafficking and oil, amidst escalating pressure from the Trump administration. The US has been conducting operations against alleged drug boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, resulting in numerous strikes and casualties. Maduro evaded confirmation of a US strike inside Venezuela, but he expressed readiness for dialogue on various issues. These actions are viewed by Maduro as a means for the US to remove him from power and gain access to the country’s oil reserves.
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Former Olympic snowboarder Ryan James Wedding, now a fugitive, faces serious charges including murder, money laundering, and drug trafficking tied to a massive transnational criminal enterprise. In a recent operation, Mexican authorities, working with the FBI, seized dozens of motorcycles believed to belong to Wedding, with an estimated value of $40 million. Officials believe Wedding, who allegedly heads an organization that imports vast amounts of cocaine, is currently hiding in Mexico and being protected by the Sinaloa Cartel. A $15 million reward is being offered for information leading to his capture and conviction.
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US strikes 3 alleged drug vessels and leaves survivors — now a search-and-rescue operation is a story that has many layers, and the more you learn about it, the more complicated it becomes. The core of it involves the U.S. military targeting suspected drug trafficking vessels, resulting in casualties and, notably, a subsequent search-and-rescue operation for survivors. Let’s break it down.
The initial reports came from the U.S. Southern Command, stating that they had engaged three vessels in international waters, claiming these were being used by “narco-terrorists” for drug trafficking. The report indicates that the military action took place on December 30th.… Continue reading
A recent report reveals that a boat targeted by the U.S. military during a drug-trafficking campaign in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific contained marijuana, marking the first physical evidence of the campaign. The attack, which occurred in the Gulf of Venezuela and resulted in three fatalities, took place in international waters and was followed by the discovery of the bodies by local fishermen. Since then, the Trump administration has conducted 30 strikes against alleged drug vessels, escalating the death toll to at least 107. Despite these actions, legal experts and lawmakers have criticized the operation, particularly a strike that killed survivors, raising concerns about extrajudicial killings and the lack of transparency surrounding the campaign.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood