US Set to Launch Covert Operations in Venezuela, Escalating Regional Tensions
The United States is reportedly gearing up to initiate covert operations in Venezuela, escalating tensions in the region and drawing widespread international concern, according to multiple sources.
Background and Context
The Trump administration has been escalating pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, now labeling him and government allies as members of a foreign terrorist organization. This comes as the US military recently deployed forces to the Caribbean, marking the largest military deployment in the region since the Cuban Missile Crisis. The USS Gerald R. Ford, the world's most advanced aircraft carrier, sailed into the Caribbean as part of Operation Southern Spear.
Key Developments
While the exact timing and scope of the new operations remain uncertain, President Trump has approved additional measures to pressure Venezuela and prepare for a broader military campaign, including potential covert CIA operations targeting Maduro's government, as reported by TASS and The New York Times.
The South China Morning Post suggests that these moves could be part of a larger strategy to lay claim to the western hemisphere. Meanwhile, Al Jazeera English posits that these activities could result in a CIA disaster, citing that Venezuela doesn't even produce the substances that Washington is accusing it of trafficking.
While the Trump administration cites concerns about migration and drug trade as the reason behind its increasingly hostile policy, it has also hinted at supporting a fringe theory that Venezuela's leadership controlled electronic voting software worldwide, causing Trump's 2020 election defeat to Joe Biden, according to The Guardian.
International Reactions and Implications
The international community has voiced concerns about these developments. European nations, including France, the Netherlands, and Britain, have limited their intelligence sharing with the US over fears that their intel could be used for strikes that would be viewed as illegal in their countries, as reported by the Japan Times.
In Latin America, Colombian President Gustavo Petro insisted that potential military threats from Washington are in response to the US's economic interests, particularly Venezuelan oil. Meanwhile, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva voiced enormous concern about the US military buildup near Venezuela, calling for a peaceful solution before a potential conflict breaks out.
Conclusion
As the US moves closer to military conflict with Venezuela, the situation remains fluid and fraught with international concern. Meanwhile, Maduro continues to reject war and promote peace within his country, even as the US ramps up its military presence in the region. The world watches as tensions continue to rise and the US inches closer to launching a new phase of operations against Venezuela.