"We will begin land attacks, which is much easier because the US knows the routes they use. We know where these bad actors live and will start very soon," US President Donald Trump said on 2/12, addressing questions about the nation's maritime operations against suspected drug vessels.
Trump also stated that Washington could target any nation transporting drugs into the US, specifically naming Venezuela and Colombia.
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US President Donald Trump during a cabinet meeting at the White House on 2/12. Photo: AP |
US President Donald Trump during a cabinet meeting at the White House on 2/12. Photo: AP
"Anyone doing that, selling them into our country, could be attacked, not just Venezuela," the US President said. "I hear that Colombia is producing cocaine, operating manufacturing plants, and selling it to us."
Colombian President Gustavo Petro later retorted to his US counterpart, stating that Bogota destroys a narcotics production lab every 40 minutes "without the need for missiles." The Colombian leader invited Trump to join the anti-drug efforts in his country, while also delivering a stern warning.
"Do not threaten our sovereignty if you do not want to awaken the 'jaguar'. Attacking Colombia's sovereignty means declaring war," he wrote on social media platform X.
The US has conducted maritime interdiction operations targeting suspected drug vessels in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean over the past few months, resulting in dozens of fatalities.
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US military deployment around Venezuela. Click to view full image. |
Washington maintains a significant military presence in the Caribbean Sea to support these operations, escalating tensions between the US and Venezuela, a nation bordering Colombia. President Nicolas Maduro accused the troop mobilization of indicating US intentions for regime change in Venezuela.
Trump has repeatedly floated the idea of land-based operations in recent months. In October, the US leader stated, "next will be land." In November, he declared he would be "proud" to expand the anti-drug cartel campaign to land in Venezuela, Colombia, and Mexico.
By Pham Giang (Reuters)
