Karoline Leavitt Comments on U.S.-Venezuela Tensions, Raising Questions About Trump’s Strategy
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt recently addressed the growing tensions between the United States and Venezuela, offering a cautious update that has sparked both intrigue and speculation about U.S. intentions in the region.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Leavitt was asked whether the U.S. was entering a new phase of engagement with Venezuela a country that has increasingly come under scrutiny since Donald Trump returned to the presidency. “I’m not going to broadcast any actions that may or may not be happening with respect to Venezuela,” Leavitt said, emphasizing a careful approach to discussing potential military operations.
Leavitt described the Venezuelan government under President Nicolas Maduro as “illegitimate” and praised Trump’s actions against what the administration calls “narco-terrorists.” She added, “You can expect to see those strikes continue.”
This comes after the Trump administration designated the Cartel de los Soles, a high-level Venezuelan drug trafficking network, as a foreign terrorist organization. Published in the Federal Register on Monday, this designation is part of a broader campaign to combat drug trafficking into the United States. Earlier, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused the cartel of orchestrating “terrorist violence” across the Western Hemisphere.
While Trump has not ruled out military action against Venezuela, he has also suggested the possibility of talks with Maduro. So far, U.S. operations have included a substantial military buildup in the Caribbean and targeted strikes on boats accused of transporting narcotics efforts that reportedly killed more than 80 people. The administration claims these strikes aim to curb the flow of drugs to U.S. cities, though critics, including Maduro, argue the moves are part of an effort to destabilize his government.
Since the U.S. deployed military vessels and troops to the Caribbean, Venezuela’s opposition, which receives U.S. support, has renewed its calls to remove Maduro from power. This has fueled speculation about whether the counterdrug operation may also serve broader political goals.
The term Cartel de los Soles, which means “Cartel of the Suns,” dates back to the 1990s, when Venezuelans used it to describe senior military leaders enriched by drug trafficking. Over the years, the label expanded to include government officials, law enforcement, and participants in illicit mining and fuel trafficking. The “suns” refer to the epaulettes worn by high-ranking military officers.
With tensions continuing to rise, the world is watching closely to see whether Trump’s administration will escalate operations in Venezuela or pursue diplomatic channels decisions that could have far-reaching consequences for the region.
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