Trump Denies Intention to Strike Venezuela Amid Military Buildup
Amid escalating tensions, former U.S. President Donald Trump has denied any plans for military strikes against Venezuela. This statement comes amidst a significant build-up of U.S. military presence in the region, causing concern in Caracas that the aim is to facilitate regime change.
Trump’s Denial and Actions
On Friday, when questioned about reports suggesting potential strikes, Trump responded with a firm “no.” This denial follows Trump’s acknowledgment of authorizing covert operations by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) within Venezuelan territory. Moreover, Trump has previously discussed potential ground attacks against alleged terrorist drug cartels.
Military Actions and Deployments
Since the beginning of September, the United States has conducted air strikes in the Pacific Ocean, particularly in the Caribbean Sea. These strikes have targeted vessels allegedly involved in drug trafficking. U.S. authorities have claimed responsibility for 15 attacks in recent weeks, reporting the deaths of 62 individuals. The U.S. has also deployed eight warships to the Caribbean, along with F-35 fighter jets stationed in Puerto Rico. An American aircraft carrier, the largest in the world, is also en route to the area. These actions have heightened concerns in Venezuela.
Reactions and Accusations
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed Trump’s denial in response to a Miami Herald article suggesting that U.S. forces were preparing to strike targets in Venezuela. Rubio stated that the sources cited in the article had misled the publication. Meanwhile, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, whom the U.S. does not recognize as legitimate, has accused Washington of using drug trafficking as a pretext to force regime change in Caracas and seize Venezuelan oil.
Accusations of CIA Involvement
The Venezuelan authorities have also announced the dismantling of a CIA cell, which they allege was planning to attack a U.S. warship in the region. The aim, according to Venezuela, was to create an incident and blame it on Venezuela. These accusations further complicate the already strained relationship between the two nations.
Source: Annahar
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