US-Venezuela Showdown: Latest as Tensions Between Washington and Caracas Keep Rising
USA – Latest on US-Venezuela Showdown: Donald Trump signed an executive order calling for increasing the use of military force against Latin American drug cartels, which was later followed by a deployment of US warships and a submarine near Venezuela on August 28.
He emphasized the US’ commitment to stopping drug trafficking from Venezuela and elsewhere.
“We don’t want drugs coming in from Venezuela or anybody else, or any place else, so we’ll be tough on that,” he said.
American Plan for a Regime Change in Venezuela
Asked if the US sought regime change in Venezuela, Trump said, “Well, we’re not talking about that, but we are talking about the fact that you had an election, which was a very strange election. To put it mildly, I’m being very nice when I say that.”
He claimed that Venezuelan prisons “have been opened up to our country,” including members of the Tren de Aragua transnational criminal organization, he said were now in the US.
Venezuela F-16s Fly Over American Ship
According to several US Defense Department officials, Venezuela is said to have flown F-16 fighter jets over American ship on Friday – the second time in 2 days.
They’re said to fly above the USS Jason Dunham overnight Thursday in international waters near South America.
It was unclear whether the jets were armed. The Aegis guided-missile destroyer did not engage the aircraft, according to a CBS report.
Threats to Shoot Venezuelan Military Aircraft Down
President Donald Trump warned Friday that Venezuelan military aircraft approaching US naval vessels would be “shot down” if they endangered American forces.
“I would say they’re going to be in trouble. We’ll let them know about that … if they fly in a dangerous position,” Trump said during remarks in the Oval Office.
The US Defense Department called the move “highly provocative” and warned the Venezuelan government that it should not interfere with US counter-narcotics or counter-terror operations.
