U.S. President Donald Trump is intensifying pressure on Latin American nations under the pretext of drug enforcement, even aiming for regime change, the Wall Street Journal reported on October 19 (local time). The actions by the Trump administration—including military operations in the Caribbean, suspension of aid to Colombia, and pressure on Venezuela's Nicolás Maduro—are blurring the lines between anti-drug operations and attempts to overthrow governments.
Targeting Colombia and Venezuela
President Trump abruptly announced the suspension of all financial aid to Colombia, a key U.S. security partner in the region. In a post on Truth Social, Trump called Colombian President Gustavo Petro a "boss of illegal drugs" and demanded the immediate closure of the "fields of death," accusing him of being a leader who is "disrespectful of the United States, with low approval and very unpopular." This decision overturns decades of economic and anti-narcotics support to Colombia.
Simultaneously, the Trump administration is increasing military pressure on Venezuela, seeking the downfall of the Nicolás Maduro regime. Trump claimed Maduro would be willing to "give up everything" to ease tensions with the U.S., "because he doesn't want to f*** around the United States." He also disclosed authorizing the CIA to conduct secret operations in Venezuela, stating that the country "feels the pressure."
Caribbean Military Operations and Legal Concerns
The overall U.S. plan involves first securing the southern border, then attacking the flow of drugs by sea, and finally disrupting air transport. Over the past seven weeks, U.S. military forces have conducted operations in the Caribbean, attacking and destroying seven vessels, resulting in at least 32 fatalities. While Venezuelan vessels were initially targeted, ships from other nations have also been hit, with Colombia and Trinidad and Tobago reporting the deaths of their citizens.
Sergio Guzmán, director of the consultancy Colombia Risk Analysis, stated that "the U.S. is testing the limits of international law." Guzmán emphasized that the complete cutoff of aid to Colombia and the pursuit of regime change in Venezuela were "unimaginable" just months ago, highlighting the escalation of U.S. foreign policy in the region.
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