NBC News reports that sources say U.S. military officials are planning options to deal with suspected drug traffickers within Venezuela.
While strikes could happen, nothing has been approved by the president. President Nicolás Maduro (shown above) is not actively seeking to stop the distribution of illegal drugs from his country, sources say.
This comes after Donald Trump’s administration has conducted a series of strikes against traffickers mainly carrying drugs from Venezuela, reports the AP. Both Democrats and Republicans question the legality Trump’s actions, while others speculate that this is part of a plan to overthrow Maduro’s presidency.
Scott Uehlinger, former CIA officer, spoke with Jenna Ellis in the Morning on American Family Radio regarding the attitude that he thinks the Trump administration is taking to respond to the Venezuelan threat.
“What you have to understand is that we haven't heard much about the threat of Venezuela, and the main reason is because Biden allowed an open border and didn't care about the drugs being imported into the country,” says Uehlinger.
Uehlinger believes that it is becoming more apparent to the American people that Venezuela is a narco-state – a state where drug trafficking organizations have power, money and influence.
In addition, there is also assistance gained from China, Russia, and Iran to import the drugs into the U.S.
“So, this becomes a national security issue, not just a law enforcement issue. That’s why, for instance, Trump is ordering justifiable military strikes on these drug smuggling boats,” states Uehlinger.
U.S. strikes hit suspected Venezuelan drug boats on Sept. 2 – killing 11 people – and on Sept. 15.
But Uehlinger says the boat strikes only cover a symptom of the problem. The main problem is Venezuelan leadership working with South American drug gangs.
“It really seems like (Maduro) is absolutely in bed with the drug gangs – then he needs to go. That is a much more direct national security threat to the United States than something like Iraq or Afghanistan ever was,” states Uehlinger.
Critics believe attacking Venezuela is an isolated move. However, advocates see that is interconnected to Trump administration promises of border control protection, enforcement of law and order, and resolution of the fentanyl crisis.
Uehlinger says that even he had been less aware of some of the problems.
“It was just swept under the carpet because the Biden administration – and, let's say, Obama – don't want to admit all this stuff. They don't want to admit that Venezuela is an active proxy on behalf of Russia, China, and Iran against the United States, and we're letting all these people in,” says Uehlinger.
He asks how many trained Venezuelan operatives have entered the U.S.? Or Iranians who have been given Venezuelan passports? How many entered in under the Biden administration?
Uehlinger says there could be thousands of Islamic Revolutionary Guard or Iranian special forces that have been allowed into the country. Furthermore, he states that Trump is aware of the problem and getting ready to make a move.
“I don't think President Trump, the peacekeeping president, is interested in starting a new war or destabilization in Venezuela, unless he thinks that the national security of the United States is in danger,” says Uehlinger. “His record so far – I'll support that. If we have to do something about Venezuela, I think it's only because it's appropriate.”
How a Venezuelan conflict could expand
Still, critics wonder if this will trigger a proxy conflict with countries such as Russia and Iran.
“I don't think that Trump is going to shy away from anything based on the proxies, because what we've certainly learned with Iran, with Russia and China, is that these people are the classic schoolyard bullies,” states Uehlinger. “If you punch them in the nose, they do nothing. Look at what happened with Iran. All the big talk for many years, and ‘oh, Iran was a great foe.’ They were humbled in 12 days.”
After days of Israeli attacks in Iran, the U.S. attacked Iran’s underground nuclear facilities in June. Operation Midnight Hammer used 7 B-2 Spirit stealth bombers and 14 “bunker busters” against sites at Fordow and Natanz.
Uehlinger stresses that other countries, like Russia, act the same way.
“If you react forcefully, then they will dare not oppose us, because the bottom line is the United States is the most powerful military on Earth. Sometimes we lack in will, but if we show we have the will to do something, they are not going to stand up against us,” concludes Uehlinger.
