Donald Trump scares Venezuela and Nicolas Maduro. A US Navy strike groupled by the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, is arrive in the United States Navy Southern Command area of responsibility, incl Latin America and the Caribbean. Its anti-drug missionordered nearly three weeks ago, has increased the military presence in the region. Fear sets in Venezuelabecause President Maduro’s government is concerned about the possibility of a large-scale conflict and that the operation is actually a tactic to overthrow its leader.
British ‘Response’
In this context, the London decision stands out and marks a surprising distance from Trump’s decision. Britain has suspended some intelligence cooperation with the United States on suspected drug trafficking in the Caribbean, due to concerns raised by more than 20 Washington operations against suspicious vessels. As reported by CNN, London is concerned that its information could be used to identify targets of attacks that could be considered “extrajudicial executions”, as also criticized by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk.
No objection came from Downing Street. “We do not comment on security or intelligence matters,” a spokesman said, adding that “the United States remains our closest defense and security partner, but decisions regarding these operations rest with them.” The revelation risks causing embarrassment in light of the meeting between British Foreign Minister Yvette Cooper and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, scheduled for tomorrow at the G7 foreign ministers summit in Canada.
Panama, 12 tonnes of US-bound cocaine confiscated
Meanwhile, Panamanian authorities announced the seizure of a large quantity of cocaine destined for the United States on a ferry in the Pacific, against the backdrop of Washington’s military push to crack down on drug trafficking from Latin America. Prosecutor Julio Villareal told the press that around 12 tons of drugs, “in this case cocaine”, were seized in the operation that took place yesterday, which resulted in the arrest of 10 people. This is one of the largest seizures in Panamanian waters, he added.
Panama is a transit point for cocaine from South America, especially Colombia, destined for the United States, the world’s largest consumer. Villareal said Venezuelans, Ecuadorians and Nicaraguans were among those detained on the ferry leaving from Colombia. In 2023, the Central American country confiscated a total of 119 tons of drugs.
In general, Latin American countries have proven eager to demonstrate their efforts to combat drug trafficking, in the face of a US military campaign against vessels suspected of transporting drugs, which has so far caused at least 76 casualties in the Caribbean and Pacific. Washington says its military deployment in the region is part of an anti-drugs campaign, but Venezuela is particularly concerned that it is a tactic to oust its leader, Nicolas Maduro.
Russia, Lavrov rejects aid to Venezuela
In recent weeks, Venezuela has sided with Moscow. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov categorically rejected requests for Russian military assistance or arms deployment on Venezuelan territory from Caracas, according to a Tass report. The Russian Federation, Lavrov explained, is fully willing to operate in strict compliance with the mutual obligations set out in existing agreements with Venezuela, designated as a global strategic partner and friendly country.
The strategic partnership agreement was formalized in May, coinciding with Maduro’s official visit to Moscow. The agreement stipulates the need for in-depth cooperation in the field of security, also extended to the military-technical field. Therefore, Russia, according to Lavrov, undertakes to strictly observe the provisions contained in the above-mentioned agreement.
