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Trump Warns Venezuela: US Land Strikes on Drug Traffickers Coming Soon

President Trump has signaled a significant escalation in US actions against Venezuela. He announced that the US will "very soon" begin conducting military strikes on land targets within the country, specifically targeting alleged drug traffickers. This comes after his administration faced heavy criticism for previous maritime strikes in the Caribbean that resulted in numerous casualties. The president and his War Secretary have also sought to distance themselves from the decision-making behind a controversial follow-up strike on a suspected drug vessel.

Key Points: Trump Says US Will Soon Strike Drug Traffickers Inside Venezuela

  • Trump hints at major policy escalation with planned land strikes inside Venezuela
  • The announcement follows scrutiny over deadly US sea strikes on suspected drug boats
  • Trump and War Secretary Pete Hegseth deny prior knowledge of a controversial second strike
  • The White House states a Special Operations commander authorized the follow-up attack
2 min read

US to strike very soon inside Venezuela in action against drug traffickers: Trump

President Trump announces imminent US military strikes on land targets in Venezuela, escalating the campaign against alleged drug traffickers after controversial sea attacks.

"We're going to start doing those strikes on land too... and we're going to start that very soon. - President Donald Trump"

Washington DC, December 3

After repeated US air strikes on the boats of alleged Venezuelan drug traffickers in the Caribbean, President Donald Trump said that America will "very soon" begin striking "bad ones" living inside Venezuela.

Trump's comments during Tuesday's cabinet meeting hint at further escalation between Washington and Caracas.

"We're going to start doing those strikes on land too. Land is much easier; we know where they live. We know where the bad ones live, and we're going to start that very soon." Trump said during the cabinet meeting.

Trump's remarks come after his administration came under heavy scrutiny over its conduct in offensive targeting the alleged drug-trafficking boats, killing more than 80 people so far.

Trump, in the meeting, defended War Secretary Pete Hegseth and said that neither he nor the War Secretary knew about the second strike on the suspected drug vessel. The US military had carried out a follow-up strike on a suspected drug vessel operating in the Caribbean on September 2 after an initial attack did not kill everyone on board.

"I didn't know about the second strike. I didn't know anything about people. I wasn't involved, and I knew they took out a boat, but I would say this, they had a strike," Trump said.

The President said that Hegseth "was satisfied" with the strike but "didn't know about a second attack, having to do with two people."

Hegseth, in his defence, stated that he watched the "first strike live" but then "moved on to my next meeting."

War Secretary further said that he learned about the second strike "a couple of hours later." and did not see any "survivors"

"A couple of hours later, I learned. I did not personally see survivors because that thing was on fire. It's called the fog of war," Hegseth said.

The White House has stated that Admiral Frank M "Mitch" Bradley, commander of the US Special Operations Command, had given the order of the second strike.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

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Sarah B
The casual language is concerning. "We know where the bad ones live" - who decides who is bad? This sounds like extrajudicial killings. The "fog of war" defense for killing over 80 people? Very troubling. International law exists for a reason.
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Ananya R
As an Indian, I'm watching this with mixed feelings. On one hand, drug trafficking is a global menace that ruins lives. On the other, unilateral military action sets a bad example. Could powerful nations one day decide to do this elsewhere? The UN needs to step in.
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Vikram M
The President and War Secretary didn't know about a second strike? That's either gross incompetence or they're not being truthful. Either way, it's unacceptable when lives are at stake. Leadership means taking responsibility. 🇮🇳
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Michael C
Living in India, I see how complex cross-border issues can be. This heavy-handed approach rarely solves the root cause. It just creates more resentment and instability. Diplomacy and working with the Venezuelan government would be more effective in the long run.
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Priya S
The human cost is being ignored. 80 people dead. Were they all "bad ones"? What about collateral damage? This isn't a video game. Every life has value. The US should lead by example on human rights, not violate them.

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