Trump Accuses Venezuela of Drug Trafficking Amid Rising Tensions

Sat Oct 18 2025 08:07:32 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

In a recent statement, President Trump accused Venezuela of sending drugs and gang members to the US, intensifying existing tensions between the two countries. This follows a US military operation in the Caribbean aimed at counter-narcotics efforts.

US President Donald Trump has renewed accusations against Venezuela, alleging that the country is sending gang members and drugs to the U.S., claims that he deems 'not acceptable.' This marks a significant escalation in the ongoing tension sparked by recent US military operations in the Caribbean and controversial strikes against Venezuelan vessels.

US President Donald Trump has renewed his accusation that Venezuela is sending gang members and drugs to the United States, which he said was 'not acceptable.'

Tension has been high between the two countries since the US deployed warships to the Southern Caribbean on what officials described as counter-narcotics operations. As part of that deployment, the US launched an attack on a boat said to be carrying drugs from Venezuela, resulting in the death of all 11 people on board.

When asked by a journalist whether the US would conduct strikes on mainland Venezuela, Trump stated: 'We'll see what happens.'

While speaking to reporters in New Jersey, the president reiterated that Venezuela was 'sending us their gang members, their drug dealers and drugs.' He noted that maritime traffic in the Southern Caribbean had significantly decreased since the first strike.

Experts have raised concerns about the legality of the September 2 attack on the alleged drug boat, fearing it may have violated international law. In response, Venezuela flew two F-16 fighter jets over a US Navy destroyer, prompting Trump to warn that any Venezuelan jets creating a 'dangerous situation' would be shot down.

The situation escalated further when Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil accused US forces of illegally boarding a Venezuelan vessel, which he labeled a 'small, harmless' fishing boat, for eight hours.

In a statement, the Venezuelan foreign ministry alleged that the US actions were aimed at escalating warfare in the Caribbean with the goal of regime change in Caracas.

US officials and several other nations, including the UK, have refused to recognize Nicolas Maduro's re-election in July 2024, citing evidence of electoral fraud favoring his rival, Edmundo González. The US has accused Maduro of leading the 'Cartel of the Suns' drug cartel and is offering a $50 million reward for information leading to his capture. Maduro has vehemently denied these allegations, branding them as an imperialist ploy to oust his government, and has urged Venezuelans to join a civilian militia.