Posted on 10/25/2025 5:16:13 PM PDT by RandFan
There are a few reasons to doubt the American government's stated aim of wiping out these so-called "narco terrorist" gangs threatening the US from Venezuela, even after one takes out of the equation the sort of equipment the military is deploying - which isn't what they would need for effective drug smuggling interdiction.
While the president acknowledges that the synthetic opioid fentanyl is a huge killer in the US (which it is) and is supplied by drug gangs (which it is), to blame Venezuela for fentanyl production is simply incorrect.
Mexican cartels produce fentanyl with precursors largely supplied from China, and it is from Mexico - America's neighbour - that the fentanyl is smuggled directly into the United States across its southern border.
Venezuela isn't involved in this fentanyl business in any meaningful way, and I know this because I have reported from the Sinaloa cartel's fentanyl production labs in Mexico.
The Mexican cartels are very proud of their business, and from my experience covering this story over the years, when the drugs cartels are proud of something, and it makes them a lot of money - which fentanyl does - they don't share the market with anyone, and certainly not with Venezuela.
President Trump is right that Venezuela is now a large supplier of other illegal drugs, especially cocaine, but they come from countries like Colombia, Peru, and Bolivia, which are the largest producers of the coca leaf in the world (the coca leaf is what cocaine is made from).
Venezuela, which borders Colombia, is largely a transit country to the Caribbean in the same way that Ecuador, which also borders Colombia, is a transit country to the Pacific.
Neither Venezuela nor Ecuador are significant drug producers.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.sky.com ...
Dear FRiends,
We need your continuing support to keep FR funded. Your donations are our sole source of funding. No sugar daddies, no advertisers, no paid memberships, no commercial sales, no gimmicks, no tax subsidies. No spam, no pop-ups, no ad trackers.
If you enjoy using FR and agree it's a worthwhile endeavor, please consider making a contribution today:
Click here: to donate by Credit Card
Or here: to donate by PayPal
Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794
Thank you very much and God bless you,
Jim
I trust Trump.
Could be there’s cash flowing in from dictators into the coffers of the Dem politicians and political party.
Blow ‘em up!
Need to repatriate all the Somalians and others who lied to get their citizenship here as well.
Trump is a MODERATE.
Revering queer marriage.
Repatriating the foreigners.
Arresting Pelosi, Clinton, Obama, etc.
Need some REAL and permanent steps.
Trump doesn’t go far enough.
FACTS.
Mexico is cooperating. Venezuela is not.
Did you personally verify those facts, or did you get your instructions from Rand Paul to post this horse manure?
Must be the people imbedded in Venezuela feeding intelligence to our military about the drug boats leaving Venezuela are lying, according to you.
Well, what’s on those boats then? If it’s narcotics, sink them.
I don’t care if the boats supply 1% of illegal drugs to the United States, or 99%. Sink them.
The Sky journalist is saying they’re NOT supplying US these go to European markets from the Caribbean
The whole thing is nonsense. PLEASE awaken
Time to bring back Agent Orange................
They dont and they go to Europe mostly and largely
According to the Sky journalist
Still going right over their heads...
I don’t care where those boats are going. They carry death and misery. If there are illegal narcotics on those boats, sink them.
I’m with Trump on this.
President Trump operates as if he’s learned a thing or two since his first term and is determined to make special interests secondary to those of the American people.
Playing ‘Battleship’ with (communist) Venezuela’s capitalistic drug trafficking is likely an illustrative warning to the cartels further up that they, too, are on his list - in an international language they fully understand.
Doctor Paul should put his Hippocratic Oath before Libertarian ethics and get behind the effort to reduce if not eliminate the scourge of drug abuse that harms more constituents in Kentucky than nearly every other state.
Constant anti-Trump? Last week I had 2 threads praising him over Israeli peace process
Please check my history you’re talking nonsense
Trump is Sinking Them and Thats
Why I Voted for Him.
.
He’s Large and In Charge!
.
We Ain’t.
How else would Maduro raise cash to squirrel away with the economy in shambles?
There are many ways but narcotics are not significant there
Nonsense. I supposed those boats were carrying baby formula.
From AI:
Venezuelan gangs, particularly Tren de Aragua, are involved in drug trafficking and have been labeled as terrorist organizations by the U.S. government. The U.S. has increased military actions against these gangs, viewing them as a significant threat to national security.
Wikipedia thesoufancenter.org
Overview of the Conflict
The situation between Venezuela and the United States has escalated, particularly concerning the activities of Venezuelan gangs, notably Tren de Aragua. This gang has expanded its operations beyond Venezuela, engaging in drug trafficking, human trafficking, and other criminal activities across Latin America and into the U.S.
U.S. Military Actions
The U.S. has initiated military operations targeting drug traffickers in Venezuela. This includes:
Drone Strikes:
The U.S. has conducted drone strikes against vessels linked to Tren de Aragua, claiming they are involved in drug smuggling.
Deployment of Military Assets:
The U.S. has sent naval forces, including the USS Gerald R. Ford, to the Caribbean to monitor and disrupt drug trafficking activities.
Venezuelan Government’s Response
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has accused the U.S. of “inventing a war” and has mobilized military and civilian defenses in response to perceived threats. He has also called for nationwide military training to prepare for potential confrontations.
Implications of the Conflict
The U.S. government has labeled Tren de Aragua as a terrorist organization, equating its activities to those of groups like al-Qaeda. This designation has led to increased military focus on Venezuela, raising concerns about the potential for broader military engagement in the region.
The ongoing conflict reflects a complex interplay of drug trafficking, national security, and international relations, with significant implications for both countries.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.