Amid the massive military operation by the United States off the coast of Venezuela, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt stated today that President Donald Trump is prepared to "use all his power" and bring those responsible for drug trafficking "to justice."
In her press conference, Leavitt recalled that Nicolás Maduro's regime is not the legitimate government of Venezuela, but rather a narco-terrorist cartel, and described the Venezuelan dictator as "a fugitive leader who must be brought to trial."
Leavitt's statements come amid one of the largest naval operations in the region in recent years, where the United States has deployed an impressive military force off the coast of Venezuela, with the stated goal of intensifying the fight against narco-terrorism in Latin America, driven largely by the Venezuelan regime.
Donald Trump y Nicolás Maduro.
United States military operation
The operation, directly driven by the White House under President Donald Trump's administration, represents unprecedented pressure on the communist regime of Nicolás Maduro.
According to sources confirmed to Reuters, in the next 36 hours, three Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers will arrive in the Caribbean, all equipped with the advanced Aegis defense system, capable of tracking and eliminating multiple air and maritime threats simultaneously. These are the USS Sampson (DDG-102), USS Gravely (DDG-107), and USS Jason Dunham (DDG-109).
Donald Trump y Nicolás Maduro.
The deployment is complemented by the presence of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), which includes the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima, the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, and at least two additional ships. This group is joined by P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, a nuclear attack submarine, and other intelligence and surveillance assets. In total, more than 4,000 Marines will be mobilized in the strategic area.
A senior U.S. official explained on condition of anonymity that the deployment "will be continuous for several months" and that operations will be conducted in international waters and airspace. Nevertheless, he warned that the scale of the force will not only reinforce surveillance, but also serve "as a platform for selective strikes if the decision is made."
