Overview
- Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino argued U.S. interdictions are more lethal in the Caribbean than in the Pacific, where he says most drug traffic moves.
- U.S. authorities have reported seven attacks on vessels since September in the Caribbean, with at least 32 people killed, and President Donald Trump posted videos of the strikes.
- News reports noted U.S. statements linked the targeted boats to Venezuelan traffickers without publicly presented proof.
- Padrino framed the deployments as an effort to undermine Venezuela's sovereignty and seize national resources, asserting such aims will fail.
- Caracas highlighted stepped-up domestic anti-drug operations, while President Nicolás Maduro ordered military exercises and urged civilians to join the reserve.