Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro urged against a “crazy war” as tensions soared due to an escalating US military campaign targeting alleged drug traffickers in the Caribbean and Pacific. Maduro’s plea came during a meeting with allied unions, emphasizing, “Yes, peace, yes peace forever. No crazy war, please!”
US President Donald Trump authorized covert CIA action against Venezuela, claiming the campaign, which began on September 2, has killed at least 37 people, according to an AFP tally. Trump denied deploying B-1B bombers but expressed discontent, stating, “We’re not happy with them.
They’ve emptied their prisons into our country,” and added that the US would “kill people who come into our country” without necessarily seeking a congressional war declaration. The US has deployed stealth warplanes and navy ships, though evidence of drug smuggling by the targeted eight boats and a semi-submersible remains unreleased.
Maduro accused the US of seeking regime change, while Venezuela’s defense minister, Vladimir Padrino, confirmed the presence of CIA-affiliated units and oversaw coastal military exercises in response.
Trinidad and Tobago announced a US warship would dock in its capital from October 26-30 for joint exercises, noting two of the US strike victims were Trinidadian. Experts have raised concerns about the legality of using lethal force in foreign waters against un-intercepted suspects.
