US ships could reach the coast of Venezuela over the weekend as part of an operation to combat drug cartels, Qatari television channel Al Jazeera reported.
“President Trump has been very clear and consistent. He is committed to using every American resource to stop the flow of drugs into our country and to hold those responsible accountable,“ White House press secretary Caroline Leavitt said on Tuesday.
According to the channel, the operation is being carried out in response to increased pressure from the administration of US President Donald Trump on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Trump accuses Maduro of crimes related to drug trafficking.
On August 19, Reuters, citing Pentagon sources, reported that three US Navy destroyers would soon arrive in the southern Caribbean and be deployed off the coast of Venezuela "to conduct operations to combat drug cartels." The ships will carry out reconnaissance and surveillance missions, as well as carry out precision strikes if necessary. They have about 4,500 servicemen on board.