China reacted sharply on Thursday to America’s military buildup off Venezuela’s coast. This response comes as the Trump administration intensifies efforts to tackle drug cartels in the region. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told reporters, “China opposes any move that violates the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and a country’s sovereignty and security.” She firmly stated that China is against the use of force in international relations and external interference in Venezuela’s internal matters.
Amid this backdrop, the U.S. is deploying naval assets, including at least three Aegis guided-missile destroyers, with thousands of Marines as part of its operation in international waters around Venezuela. “On day one of the Trump Administration, the President published an Executive Order designating drug cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations,” noted Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell. He emphasized the significant threats these cartels pose to U.S. national security, highlighting their violent and destabilizing influence across the Hemisphere.
Parnell stated, “These cartels have engaged in historic violence and terror throughout our Hemisphere—and around the globe—that has destabilized economies and internal security of countries,” adding that they also flood the United States with drugs and criminal gangs. In a sign of the escalating tensions, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro announced he would mobilize 4.5 million militia members to counter U.S. threats, describing them as “outlandish.” This military show of force underscores the seriousness with which Maduro responds to U.S. actions.
The Trump administration has claimed Maduro’s regime functions as a “narco-terror cartel.” Recently, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced a $50 million bounty for information leading to Maduro’s arrest. The Justice Department reported seizing over $700 million in assets belonging to Maduro, which includes luxury vehicles and private jets associated with his government. Maduro, indicted in New York back in 2020 on charges related to narco-terrorism, has held onto power with military support and alleged assistance from nations like Russia and China.
This unfolding situation highlights the complex dynamics between the U.S., Venezuela, and international players like China. As tensions rise due to military maneuvers and accusations of interference, the implications for regional stability remain significant.
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