FROM NBC NEWS: U.S. military officials are drawing up options to target drug traffickers inside Venezuela, and strikes within that country’s borders could potentially begin in a matter of weeks, four sources told NBC News.
Those sources are two U.S. officials familiar with the planning and two other sources familiar with the discussions. They spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the plans publicly.
Striking inside Venezuela would be another escalation in the Trump administration’s military campaign against alleged drug targets and its stance toward Venezuela’s government.
The plans being discussed primarily focus on drone strikes against drug trafficking groups’ members and leadership, as well as targeting drug labs, the four sources said.
In recent weeks, the US military conducted airstrikes targeting at least three vessels allegedly carrying narcotics traffickers and illicit drugs posing a threat to US citizens, as announced by President Trump on Truth Social.
The administration hasn’t confirmed drug presence on all affected vessels, but drugs were found in the water after one of the strikes, according to an official from the Dominican Republic and a US Embassy representative who spoke at a Sunday press conference.
While strikes within Venezuela are possible in the coming weeks, Trump has yet to approve any action, the four sources said.
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