Trump Launches “Second Phase” Against Venezuelan Drug Cartels, Targets Another Alleged Cargo Ship

By The Blogging Hounds President Donald Trump announced the second phase of his administration’s crackdown on drug cartels transporting narcotics from Venezuela to the United States, signaling a renewed push against international smuggling networks. According to Trump, U.S. forces struck another vessel off the Venezuelan coast on Saturday evening, reportedly carrying illegal drugs bound for…

By The Blogging Hounds

President Donald Trump announced the second phase of his administration’s crackdown on drug cartels transporting narcotics from Venezuela to the United States, signaling a renewed push against international smuggling networks.

According to Trump, U.S. forces struck another vessel off the Venezuelan coast on Saturday evening, reportedly carrying illegal drugs bound for American shores. The president emphasized that this operation is part of a broader strategy to dismantle cartel supply lines and hold foreign actors accountable for the trafficking that fuels the domestic opioid and cocaine crises.

Phase Two Targets Smugglers at Sea
The initial phase of the campaign focused on intelligence gathering, interdiction, and coordination with regional partners. The second phase, Trump explained, involves direct action against vessels suspected of transporting narcotics, applying pressure on the cartels’ maritime operations. While details remain limited, the White House indicated that operations will continue “as long as necessary” to disrupt these networks.

Trump’s Hardline Approach
This aggressive stance marks a continuation of Trump’s anti-cartel agenda, which has seen increased U.S. surveillance and interdiction efforts along the Caribbean and Latin American corridors. The president framed the campaign as both a law enforcement and national security imperative, stressing that the traffickers’ routes from Venezuela and other nations are “exporting poison into our communities.”

Implications for U.S.-Venezuela Relations
The operations could further strain already tense relations between the U.S. and Venezuela. Trump has repeatedly criticized the Venezuelan government for allowing drug trafficking to flourish under its watch, and the latest strike demonstrates that Washington is willing to act unilaterally if necessary to protect American borders.

A Broader Fight Against Cartels
Trump’s announcement underscores his broader strategy to combat illegal drugs, which includes sanctions, maritime interdictions, and coordination with allied nations in the hemisphere. U.S. officials have noted that Venezuelan and Colombian cartels increasingly rely on maritime routes to avoid land-based checkpoints, making these operations critical for stemming the flow of illicit substances.

Looking Ahead
While the exact outcome of Saturday’s strike remains unclear, Trump emphasized that the campaign is ongoing and that the United States will continue to pursue cartel operatives wherever they operate. The president’s message is unmistakable: U.S. waters are not a safe passage for narcotics, and Washington will take decisive measures to stop the flow.

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