U.S. Drug Operation Targeting Suspected Venezuelan-Linked Drug Cartel Raises Tensions in Latin America

Key Takeaways:

• Increasing militarisation and aggressive rhetoric from both the U.S and Venezuela heighten the risk of escalating tensions.

• With multiple countries involved in drug trafficking, the sudden focus on Venezuela raises questions about why it remains a priority for U.S. intervention.

• Trump’s military actions resonate with his local supporters but are viewed by many as provocative and a violation of human rights.

Drug war escalates tension between the U.S and Venezuela

President Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela, during a press conference on 01 September 2025, made several remarks concerning reports that the U.S. government is increasing its military presence in the Southern Caribbean, aimed at targeting drug cartels in the region. Maduro expressed intentions to “declare a republic in arms” if U.S. forces launch an attack against his country. For several weeks, he had raised concerns about this naval deployment, comprising “eight military ships with 1,200 missiles and a submarine.”

Earlier reports had suggested that “three U.S. guided missile destroyers,” including “USS Gravely,” “USS Jason Dunham,” and “USS Sampson,” as well as the cruiser “USS Lake Erie” and the “USS Newport News,” a nuclear-powered submarine, were moving towards Caribbean waters. As pressure mounted from the U.S., Venezuela deployed warships and drones along its borders and coastal line. Contrary to Washington’s claims, Maduro accused the U.S. of “trying to change the government through military actions” and engaging in “military interference,” and pledged to respond without providing in-depth details.

Amidst growing tension between the two American countries, on 03 September, President Trump announced that U.S. forces had bombed a vessel allegedly carrying drugs, resulting in the deaths of 11 people identified as drug traffickers, somewhere in the Caribbean international waters. He linked the boat to the Venezuelan drug gang known as “Tren de Aragua,” an organisation that Washington had recently designated a foreign terrorist group, months after Trump assumed office.

U.S actions, a fight against drugs trafficking or politically motivated

The U.S. government has long accused Venezuela of facilitating cocaine movement into several states in the country, and this recent bombing intensifies these allegations. Washington has sought various ways to combat cross-border drug smuggling, while accusing nations in the Americas, including Mexico and Canada, of not doing enough to curb the movement of drugs such as Fentanyl and cocaine into the U.S. According to U.S. officials, in 2024, there were more than 48,000 deaths linked to fentanyl in the U.S. However, only about 0.8% of this drug was caught at the Canadian border, most of it was intercepted at the border with Mexico.

The drug war intensified following Donald Trump's inauguration in January 2025. Recently, attention has shifted towards Nicolás Maduro, after the U.S government announced a reward of US$50 million for information to arrest the Venezuelan leader due to alleged involvement in cocaine trafficking, describing him as “one of the largest narco-traffickers in the world.” A significant portion of cocaine comes from Colombia, Peru and Bolivia as major producers of coca, the plant used to make cocaine. Due to Colombia's geographical constraints, drug traffickers often use Venezuela as a transit route to move cocaine from Latin America to their destinations. Despite the allegations, the Trump administration has failed to provide concrete evidence linking Maduro to drug trafficking.

This raises questions about whether the U.S. is attempting to establish a connection between Maduro and drug-related violence to justify military action by U.S forces. Worthy of note is that in August 2025, President Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico refuted U.S. claims of Maduro's ties to the Mexican Sinaloa Cartel, after she stated that there was no proof to link him to the cartel. There are other countries that have been identified as major transit routes for drug trafficking, but the question as to why Venezuela remains priority remains key. Sources suggest that U.S. opposition politicians, who previously condemned Trump's strikes on Iranian nuclear sites in June, have chosen to remain silent on this issue to avoid appearing to support drug trafficking.

Although the U.S. appears determined to dismantle drug cartels, it remains unclear whether the occupants of the targeted vessel were armed or if the vessels were en route to U.S. border areas. It may be seen as a show of force by the U.S to pass a strong message to Maduro. Typically, the Coast Guard is responsible for intercepting suspicious vessels and making arrests related to maritime safety.

In addition to the drug trafficking issue, Maduro and the U.S. government have reportedly been at loggerheads since he claimed to have won the heavily disputed elections of 2018 and 2024. Maduro has attempted to clampdown on opposition supporters by arresting opposition leaders.

The U.S. has refused to recognise him as the elected President and has imposed sanctions against him and some electoral officials. But Trump's issue with Maduro dates back to his first term in office, from 2017 to 2021, when the U.S. government raised charges of “narco-terrorism,” corruption, and other criminal activities against Maduro. The reward for Maduro's capture, which began at US$15 million, increased to US$25 million following the disputed elections just weeks before Trump took office for his second term.

The doubling of this reward to US$50 million shows that Trump may not be interested in engaging in peaceful dialogue with the Maduro administration and prefers to pursue other means to hold him accountable, even in the absence of sufficient evidence regarding the drug accusations.

Are future escalations likely in Latin America?

The growing tensions between Venezuela and the United States are highlighted by Maduro’s reaction to U.S. military actions in the region. While the U.S. bombing represent a major escalation in the fight against drug trafficking, they also heighten the risk of military retaliation from both sides. Already, he has called for millions of people to join a militia group in response to U.S military buildup, sparking reports of forced recruitment in some communities.

Maduro aims to assert Venezuela’s sovereignty and may use the incident to present his government as a victim of foreign aggression. This may help him rally support within the government and across other regions, especially as the U.S. continues to accuse the country of aiding the movement of cocaine. Some groups and organisations in Latin America, the Caribbean and West Africa have launched pro-Maduro campaigns which could expand amid growing U.S. pressure.

On the other hand, Trump’s actions appeal to his supporters back home, who back a tough approach to drug activities. Yet, many observers and critics view the move as provocative and a violation of “human rights”. Despite the threats from Maduro, the U.S. remains committed to a hardline strategy against drug activities in Latin America. Coupled with reports that Trump signed a secret directive allowing military officials to use force against drug cartels, this approach raises the likelihood of additional military operations across the region but puts both countries at risk of escalating tensions.

There is a low risk of a wider regional conflict because some countries affected by cartel activities may embrace this development. For instance, on 05 September 2025, the U.S. government designated Ecuador’s “Los Lobos” and “Los Choneros” groups as foreign terrorist organisations. Unlike Venezuela, Ecuador maintains a stable and cordial relationship with the U.S. The move has been welcomed by President Daniel Noboa who has been struggling to deal with drug-related violence in the country. A partnership between the two countries also lowers the chances of Noboa and his administration facing sanctions.