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In a bold statement on Thursday, President Donald Trump announced that the United States will soon initiate actions against alleged drug trafficking networks in Venezuela. During a Thanksgiving call with service members, Trump indicated that efforts to target drug operations on land are imminent, highlighting a shift in strategy from maritime interventions.

 

The focus on Venezuelan drug traffickers follows a recent US military build-up in the region, known as “Operation Southern Spear,” with over a dozen warships and 15,000 troops stationed nearby. Earlier this week, Trump designated Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his government's allies as part of a foreign terrorist organisation and targeted them with sanctions. The term “Cartel de los Soles” was used to describe allegedly corrupt officials, allowing for asset and infrastructure sanctions, although it does not permit direct military force.

 

The Pentagon's operation has already resulted in the destruction of drug-carrying boats and the deaths of over 80 individuals. Despite Trump's aggressive rhetoric, a classified session revealed that the US does not currently plan to strike within Venezuelan borders and lacks legal justification for such actions. The Justice Department has provided legal opinions supporting strikes on drug boats but not against land targets, keeping future strategies somewhat open-ended, reported CNN.

 

While the US has largely operated in the region without Congressional oversight, a senior Justice Department official reinforced that continued lethal actions could proceed without legislative approval. Nonetheless, the administration aims to maintain a robust stance against drug trafficking, hinting at potential further developments.

 

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• US to begin land-focused actions against Venezuelan drug networks soon.
• Maduro's regime labelled as a terrorist organisation, allowing sanctions but not military force.
• No immediate plans for land strikes in Venezuela, but future actions are not ruled out.

 

Related story: 

US Military Expands Lethal Strikes on Drug Boats in Pacific

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from CNN 2025-11-28

 

 

 

How would you feel if Mexico announced it was going to invade the US to stop illegal arms shipments to their country?

Well, that is better than blaming the Canadians for the USA drug woes..........🤫

4 minutes ago, transam said:

Well, that is better than blaming the Canadians for the USA drug woes..........🤫

Oh, they are still trying to do that too.

 

 

 

 

Operation Reciprocity? Good movie by the way, the the old Potomec Two Step.

You don't put this kind of military hardwares in the Caribbean Sea and not use them. 

 

Ten ships: the guided-missile destroyers USS Gravely, USS Stockdale and USS Jason Dunham; the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima and the amphibious transport docks USS San Antonio and USS Fort Lauderdale; the guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Erie and 15,000 troops plus another 5,000 in Puerto Rico bases.

 

Question is whether he will defy Congress to launch an attack or TACO in humiliation. 

We come in peace !

16 hours ago, webfact said:

highlighting a shift in strategy from maritime interventions.

 

Golly!

 

That's a lovely diplomatic way to say "illegal extrajudicial murders!"

 

Hegseth order on first Caribbean boat strike, officials say: Kill them all

 

As two men clung to a stricken, burning ship targeted by SEAL Team 6, the Joint Special Operations commander followed the defense secretary’s order to leave no survivors.

 

https://archive.is/XaZrB#selection-245.0-249.170

 

UCMJ ARTICLE 92  REFUSE UNLAWFUL ORDERS

14 hours ago, Eric Loh said:

You don't put this kind of military hardwares in the Caribbean Sea and not use them. 

 

Ten ships: the guided-missile destroyers USS Gravely, USS Stockdale and USS Jason Dunham; the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima and the amphibious transport docks USS San Antonio and USS Fort Lauderdale; the guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Erie and 15,000 troops plus another 5,000 in Puerto Rico bases.

 

Question is whether he will defy Congress to launch an attack or TACO in humiliation. 

Only needs Congressional approaval if formally declaring war is my understaning. Regan's invasion of Grenada is an example of this. Also troops need to be on the ground for more than 14 maybe 16 days (can't remember which) before Congression approaval is needed.

28 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

Only needs Congressional approaval if formally declaring war is my understaning. Regan's invasion of Grenada is an example of this. Also troops need to be on the ground for more than 14 maybe 16 days (can't remember which) before Congression approaval is needed.

The Constitution has broader definition that includes prolonged land and sea operation. If US ships entered Venezuela waters, it will have to seek congressional approval too. 
 

In the case of Reagan’s sending troops to protect US citizens in Grenada, Congress did later pass a resolution with broad bipartisan support that applied the War Powers Resolution to the operation, and a majority of Congress ultimately voiced support for the invasion after it began. 
 

Congress is not supportive of Trump’s plan to launch a land attack on Venezuela without a valid reason. Trump has yet to provide a good enough reason to win over Congress and even his own party senators.
 

 

No surprise here.

There's a lot of oil under that ground. Gotta take over the country and steal it.
Only MAGAs believe that it's about drugs. But they will believe anything he says.

Wait till more Epstein files drop that’s when his war will start,3 gator freighters = lots of marines + the carrier for air support,the tools are there no doubt about it.hope it never comes to pass.

It'a also against Cuba , but you don't hear about it.

 

The U.S. actions against Venezuela, particularly under Trump's administration, are seen as a threat to Cuba as well, since Cuba is a close ally of Venezuela and could be next in line for similar interventionist policies. The Cuban government has condemned U.S. military buildup in the region, viewing it as a direct threat to their stability and sovereignty

 

Rubio's wet dream.

Waging war against druglords while setting free a convicted druglord.

1 hour ago, FolkGuitar said:

No surprise here.

There's a lot of oil under that ground. Gotta take over the country and steal it.

Exactly. Before your Chinese Masters do.

10 minutes ago, stevenl said:

Waging war against druglords while setting free a convicted druglord.

Are you familiar with his case?

Just now, Yagoda said:

Exactly. Before your Chinese Masters do.

Will MAGAs say that for every country that has large oil deposits?
Do you think it's OK to invade foreign countries because of it?
To date, the administration has shown ZERO evidence, much less PROOF of any drug smuggling, just Trump's statements about it.
Show us the proof, or be ready to face trial in The Hague. 

8 minutes ago, FolkGuitar said:

Will MAGAs say that for every country that has large oil deposits?

I guess we could

 

8 minutes ago, FolkGuitar said:

Do you think it's OK to invade foreign countries because of it?

Depends on the circumstances. Do you think Venezuela owes us money btw?

 

9 minutes ago, FolkGuitar said:

To date, the administration has shown ZERO evidence, much less PROOF of any drug smuggling, just Trump's statements about it.

Why should you be entitled to military intelligence. Are you denying your own eyes btw?

 

10 minutes ago, FolkGuitar said:

how us the proof, or be ready to face trial in The Hague. 

The Hague. Maybe we should bomb them and take their furtniture.

 

Who is going to drag anyone from the USA to the Hague? You? Mr. Useless Gestures?

1 hour ago, Yagoda said:

I guess we could

 

Depends on the circumstances. Do you think Venezuela owes us money btw?

 

Why should you be entitled to military intelligence. Are you denying your own eyes btw?

 

The Hague. Maybe we should bomb them and take their furtniture.

 

Who is going to drag anyone from the USA to the Hague? You? Mr. Useless Gestures?

 

This man could sodomize your 9-year-old son, and you would still think him your hero.

Very sad to see.  

"Bomb the Hague?" Wow.  "Steal from it?" How exactly does this fit in with being the Party of 'Christian Values'?  Perhaps these days, there is nothing there except the sound of the name.

Railing against smalltime druglords and giving a pardon to a man convicted of bringing over 400 tons of Cocaine into the US.

Trump Announces Pardon for Honduran Ex-President Convicted in Drug Case

Juan Orlando Hernández was accused of receiving millions in bribes and partnering with cocaine traffickers. He was convicted in Manhattan in 2024 and sentenced to 45 years in prison.

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/28/world/americas/trump-pardon-honduras-hernandez.html?smid=nytcore-android-share

If this is not a official sanctioned military action; what will be the status of Americans killed, wounded and maimed? Who will be responsible for paying for hospitalization; rehab, loss of earnings; burials etc etc?

Give this upstanding man of a president (and without a doubt the best golfplayer in the world) his well earned peace price!! He is not only ending wars, he is starting them as well! 

 

(Well, president Kim in N-K did eleven hole in ones in a row, so okay, the second best golfer then)

1 hour ago, stewart479 said:

If this is not a official sanctioned military action; what will be the status of Americans killed, wounded and maimed? Who will be responsible for paying for hospitalization; rehab, loss of earnings; burials etc etc?

THAT is exactly why the US has not officially declared war in years. They're now called "conflicts" so the gubmint isn't stuck footing the entire bill. Makes me sick.

1 hour ago, stewart479 said:

If this is not a official sanctioned military action; what will be the status of Americans killed, wounded and maimed? Who will be responsible for paying for hospitalization; rehab, loss of earnings; burials etc etc?

 

Screw 'em.

They're loosers.

Trump only likes winners.

 

They will never know if any of this is successful until the street price goes up from lack of product supply.... I guess if you know where the factories are that produce, wouldn't it be easier just to send a missile?

8 hours ago, Jim Blue said:

We come in peace !

We are here to help

I see the lefties are up to their usual we hate Trump.  The action in Venezuela is just a repeat of Operation Just Cause.  Very few were complaining then because the American people knew we were getting rid of a drug dealer but because it's Trump it's an excuse for lefties to howl at the moon and chase their tales.  

President Trump is unwell.

15 minutes ago, Red Forever said:

President Trump is unwell.

That's putting it mildly.

With his pathetic poll numbers now, he's more dangerous than ever.

I do believe if he can start a War  the Republicans will get after his ass.

That is the thing that binds us all.