US troops may enter Venezuela: what’s happening
Фото: REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
United States President Donald Trump has announced his intention to launch a ground operation by the US military in Venezuela. The main goal, he said, is to combat drug trafficking, which, despite the reduction in maritime supplies, remains a significant problem for the United States.
During a speech broadcast by the White House, Trump noted that the volume of drugs delivered to the United States by sea has decreased to less than 5% of last year’s figures.
“There are almost no ships in the Gulf of Mexico now. Even fishing boats are very few. It has proven to be extremely effective – now we are getting less than 5% of the drugs we saw a year ago,” the president said.
According to Trump, smugglers have changed routes, and now the main flow of drugs goes overland. The United States intends to intensify the fight in this direction as well.
The President also stated that he is ready to appeal to Congress to support the initiative:
“I don’t think Congress will oppose steps that stop the flow of drugs. This is a matter of national security,” he stressed.
Trump added that about 300,000 Americans die every year in the country due to drugs.
At the same time, The Wall Street Journal reported that US B-1 Lancer strategic bombers were spotted near Venezuela.
According to Pentagon sources, the planes took off from the Diess base in Texas and flew in international airspace near the Venezuelan coast.
The B-1 is capable of supersonic speeds and carrying up to 34 tons of bombs, as well as performing maritime surveillance missions.
The US military clarified that the aircraft were not stationed at bases in the region, as their flight range allows them to cover any point in the Caribbean.
Last week, according to the WSJ, the US Air Force and Marine Corps already conducted similar demonstration flights: B-52 bombers and F-35B fighters flew near one of the islands in the Caribbean Sea.
The Pentagon explained that such maneuvers are a “show of force” and are aimed at maintaining stability in the region.
Also follow “Pryamim” on Facebook , Twitter , Telegram , and Instagram.