Trump sends war ships to Venezuela coast in alleged operation against drug cartels

Three AEGIS System-guided missile destroyers are expected to reach Venezuela’s coast within the next 36 hours as part of a US military operation to face Latin American drug cartels classified as global terrorist organizations. The information was confirmed on Monday (18) by two sources along with mobilization.

Ships and effective mobilized

According to the sources, the ships involved are the USS Gravelyo USS Jason Dunham and the USS Sampson. In all, about 4,000 naval sailors and Marines will be mobilized in the southern region of the Caribbean, according to an authority heard by the agency Reuters.

This authority, which spoke on condition of anonymity, also said that sending resources will include surveillance planes P-8 Poseidonadditional war ships and at least one attack submarine. Planning provides prolonged operations, which should last months, in international water and airspace.

Mission and reach of operations

Naval reinforcement will have as its functions the intelligence collection, monitoring activities and, eventually, to serve as a platform for targeted attacks, if there is a political decision in this regard.

The measures are part of the president’s strategy Donald Trumpwhich since the beginning of the government has treated the fight against drug cartels as a priority, also connecting it to the agenda border security and migratory control.

Background of Trump’s policy

In recent months, Washington had already sent two war ships to the region to assist in border safety operations and combat drug trafficking.

In February, the US government officially designated the Sinaloa posterin Mexico, and the Aragua traincriminal organization originated in Venezuela, as Global terrorist organizations. The measure has expanded US legal capacity to pursue its members and block resources.

Intelligence and transnational repression

The pentagon has also been intensifying the Aerial Surveillance on Mexican Cartelsin order to produce intelligence reports to guide future operations. The goal is to limit trafficking routes that pass through the Caribbean and Central America, while pressuring governments in the region.