WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump has announced plans for a ground operation against Venezuela, citing serious concerns over the country’s role in regional instability and drug trafficking.
Speaking at a ceremony at the White House, Trump said he was “not happy” with Venezuela for several reasons and declared that America would take firm action against those bringing narcotics into the country.
“There’s no need for a declaration of war on drug traffickers,” he said. “Those who bring drugs into the U.S. — we will eliminate them.”
Trump added that new measures were being implemented to curb drug smuggling via sea routes, while denying reports that B-1 bombers were stationed near Venezuela.
The president accused China of using Venezuela as a transit point for fentanyl smuggling, but expressed optimism about his upcoming meeting with the Chinese president, saying it could yield positive outcomes.
He went on to claim that Colombia has become a hub for drug trafficking and that Mexico is controlled by drug cartels, vowing that the United States would act decisively to dismantle these networks.
Addressing other foreign policy questions, Trump said that sanctions on Russian oil companies would show their effects “within six months,” and expressed confidence that Israel would refrain from any move to annex the West Bank.
