A retired colonel has suggested that crucial cartel locations could face destruction if President Donald Trump authorizes a potential US Navy assault on Venezuela, as reported by The Mirror. The recent deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford, the world’s largest aircraft carrier, indicates a potential escalation in Trump’s efforts against suspected drug trafficking operations near Venezuela’s coast, which have led to 75 fatalities since August. Trump has previously promised to combat the drug trade, particularly the influx of fentanyl causing numerous deaths in the US annually.
With the naval strike group entering the Caribbean, Trump has signaled his readiness to confront Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, suggesting a willingness to dismantle the regime due to allegations of sheltering cartels involved in smuggling opioids into the US. According to retired US Marine Corps Colonel Mark Cancian, who is a senior advisor at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Trump may consider direct strikes against both the cartels and Maduro himself.
Cancian mentioned the unusual military buildup in the Caribbean, noting that the US has not maintained such a significant presence in the region since 2000. He outlined potential targets for US strikes, including cartel production sites, remote airfields, port warehouses, and shipbuilding facilities utilized by the cartels. Additionally, the Maduro regime could be a target for strikes on its headquarters, security forces, leadership, and air defenses.
Multiple US administrations have opposed the dictatorship in Venezuela, with Trump’s officials expressing strong opposition to Maduro’s regime. They argue that Maduro’s grip on power has emboldened cartels, leading to increased drug trafficking into the US. These concerns have likely influenced Trump’s decision to deploy warships and submarines towards the Caribbean region.
While the US hopes that any military actions could lead to the removal of Maduro, Cancian warned of the possibility that cartels might gain more control outside major urban areas. He suggested that in the event of Maduro’s ousting, the US would not deploy troops on the ground but could offer military aid, training, and potentially peacekeeping support from other nations to assist a new government in consolidating power.
Trump may argue that supporting a new administration in Venezuela is vital to combat drug trafficking and protect American citizens. However, any military aid provided to Venezuela would likely be smaller in scale compared to assistance given to other countries like Ukraine, according to Cancian.
The US President’s decision-making process is expected to center on garnering American support for such actions, despite a growing sentiment within the country calling for a reduced involvement in foreign conflicts.