The President of the United States, Donald Trump, announced that there will soon be ground operations in Venezuela.
For weeks, the U.S. has been targeting boats involved in drug trafficking. Just a few days ago, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth revealed that a new military strike was conducted against a boat in the Pacific Ocean carrying three terrorists linked to drug smuggling, resulting in their deaths.
In a post on the platform X, the Secretary stated that the terrorists killed were engaged in drug trafficking in the Eastern Pacific, adding that “the three drug terrorists aboard the boat were targeted in international waters.”
In response, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro announced that his country possesses 5,000 Russian-made surface-to-air missiles to counter potential U.S. military threats.
During a televised ceremony with high-ranking military officials, Maduro stated that Venezuela has at least 5,000 Igla-S short-range missiles located at key air defense sites to ensure peace.
The Igla-S missiles are designed to take down low-flying aircraft and have been used in military drills that Maduro ordered in reaction to U.S. military activities, which have caused concern among leaders in several Latin American countries.
The Pentagon has informed the U.S. Congress that the United States is engaged in an armed conflict against drug cartels in Latin America, categorizing them as terrorist groups.
Moreover, those suspected of being involved in drug trafficking have been labeled as “illegal combatants.” Experts indicate that such field executions are unlawful, even if targeting individuals confirmed to be drug traffickers.