Why it matters:
Trump’s remarks about fighting drug cartels are being criticized as a pretext for military action against Venezuela, a move seen as undermining the country’s sovereignty. International bodies have not recognized the alleged “Cartel de los Soles,” and even close U.S. allies like the U.K. have refused to endorse Washington’s recent strikes on Venezuelan boats.
The big picture:
Trump administration designated the so‑called Cartel de los Soles as a foreign terrorist organization, alleging it includes senior Venezuelan officials.
Independent researchers argue there is little evidence of a hierarchical cartel structure, and international institutions have not validated the U.S. claims.
Human rights groups have condemned U.S. strikes on Venezuelan boats as extrajudicial killings. Britain and other allies have distanced themselves, declining to support the operations.
What they're saying:
On Monday, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office: “No, I do not rule that out. I don’t rule out anything. We just have to take care of Venezuela.”
He signaled openness to hear directly from Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro but left the option of U.S. ground troops on the table.
The Pentagon confirmed that the Navy’s largest aircraft carrier, the Gerald R. Ford, with 5,000 personnel and dozens of warplanes, has moved into the Caribbean, joining warships, a nuclear submarine, and F‑35 jets already deployed.
What’s next:
The standoff highlights growing isolation of Washington’s Venezuela policy: while the U.S. escalates militarily under the banner of fighting drugs, allies and international observers question the legitimacy of its justification.
Go deeper:
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Hossein Amiri - Mahboubeh Habibi
