Colombian President Gustavo Petro stated yesterday that the US bombed a cocaine production lab in Maracaibo port, western Venezuela. “We know Trump bombed a factory in Maracaibo, fearing cocaine paste mixing there,” Petro posted on X. US President Donald Trump mentioned the first ground strike in Venezuela without specifics.
Petro linked it to ELN rebels controlling the Catatumbo region near Maracaibo, where cocaine is produced. “It’s simply ELN allowing Venezuelan incursion via trafficking,” he wrote.
Trump describes beachfront target
Trump told reporters the strike hit a “beach” with a pier loading drug vessels. Venezuela’s government issued no official comment. US pressures Caracas, accusing President Nicolas Maduro of heading a major drug ring, charges he denies.
Since early September, US forces launched about 30 airstrikes on drug-carrying boats, killing at least 107 in the Caribbean and Pacific.
Regional drug war escalates
Strikes target narco-trafficking networks amid ELN activities spanning the Colombia-Venezuela border. No casualties were detailed from the Maracaibo incident.
Also read: Trump pressures Maduro; Russia, China back Venezuela
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