Trump Announces Imminent Ground Attacks in Latin America Under “War on Drugs” Pretext
US president openly hints at land-based military operations, raising fears of escalation under the pretext of the “war on drugs”
US, PUREWILAYAH.COM — US President Donald Trump has announced that ground strikes targeting drug cartels in Latin America will begin soon, signaling a potential escalation of US military activity in the region under the banner of a renewed “war on drugs.”
The remarks suggest a shift toward direct land-based operations, raising concerns over Washington’s growing militarization of Latin America and the use of security narratives to justify intervention.
“By land is a lot easier”
Speaking to reporters at the White House on Thursday, Trump stated that military action would move beyond air and maritime measures.
“It’s going to be starting on land pretty soon,”
he said, without offering further details on the scope, timeline, or legal framework of the planned operations.
Trump further claimed that such actions would be directed at what he described as criminal networks.
“Land strikes on Venezuela, it’s land strikes on horrible people that are bringing in drugs and killing our people,” the US president said.
His comments indicate that Venezuela is being explicitly named as a target, blurring the line between counter-narcotics operations and geopolitical confrontation.
Maduro Rejects US Claims, Points to Resource Motives
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro sharply rejected Washington’s narrative, accusing the United States of using drug trafficking allegations as a pretext for resource seizure, particularly Venezuela’s vast oil reserves.
Maduro’s remarks came days after Trump publicly confirmed that the US had seized a large oil tanker off the Venezuelan coast.
“We’ve just seized a tanker on the coast of Venezuela, large tanker, very large, largest one ever, actually, and other things are happening,” Trump said.
“The Mask Has Fallen”
Responding to the escalation, Maduro declared that Washington’s true intentions were no longer hidden.
“The mask has fallen,” he said, referring to what he described as the real motives behind US aggression toward Venezuela.
Rejecting drug trafficking as the real issue, Maduro accused the United States of pursuing economic plunder.
“The issue is not drug trafficking. It’s the oil they want to steal,”
he stated, adding that imperial powers are targeting Venezuela’s oil, asphalt, and gas reserves.
Addressing Washington directly, Maduro concluded:
“Thief, get out of here.” (PW)