President Donald Trump announced yesterday that the U.S. will soon move beyond sea patrols and start targeting suspected Venezuelan drug traffickers on land. Speaking virtually to U.S. military service members, Trump said stopping land shipments "is easier," signaling a new phase in Washington's counter-narcotics push.
For weeks, tensions have been rising in the Caribbean. As sea routes become riskier, traffickers are reportedly shifting loads onto coastal highways and rural paths. U.S. Southern Command has already flexed its muscle:
- November 26: B-52H strategic bombers conducted tactical attack exercises in international waters along the Venezuelan coastline.
- November 4: The aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford transited the Strait of Gibraltar, heading to the Caribbean Sea.
- October 23: Flight tracking data showed at least one U.S. B-1B bomber approaching the Venezuelan coast, a move later denied by Trump.
By opening a new front on land, the U.S. aims to cut off routes that have become lifelines for drug networks operating in the region. The shift reflects a broader strategy: intensify pressure on trafficking corridors before they even reach the open seas.
For business leaders and tech entrepreneurs, these developments underscore how geopolitical strategies can ripple through global supply chains and security. Travelers and regional stakeholders can expect increased military and law enforcement activity along key transit zones, from coastal highways to border towns.
As this land operation unfolds, policy thinkers and activists will closely monitor its impact on regional stability and communities along the routes. One thing is clear: the Caribbean is once again at the center of a high-stakes battle against organized crime.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
