Overview
- Rubio labeled Nicolás Maduro’s government a “transshipment organization” that facilitates cocaine moving through Venezuela toward the United States.
- He said President Trump has authorized expanded counter-drug missions near Venezuela, with the Pentagon’s effort named Operation Southern Spear.
- The operations have drawn scrutiny after a Sept. 2 follow-on strike killed two survivors from a destroyed boat during a suspected trafficking interdiction.
- Rubio pointed to a 2020 Southern District of New York indictment as evidence backing U.S. claims of Maduro-linked drug trafficking.
- The administration is reported to be moving to end Temporary Protected Status for roughly 600,000 Venezuelans living in the United States.