US Declares War on Venezuelan Drug Traffickers Amid Rising Deaths

The United States is intensifying its efforts against Venezuelan drug traffickers, with Senator Dave McCormick emphasizing the devastating impact of drug-related deaths in America. On November 26, 2023, during an appearance on “Fox News Sunday,” McCormick likened the current crisis to a war, highlighting that drug overdoses from substances like fentanyl and cocaine caused over 100,000 American deaths in the past year—more than double the casualties from the Vietnam War.

McCormick, a Republican from Pennsylvania, defended President Donald Trump‘s recent declaration that all airspace above and surrounding Venezuela is closed to airlines and drug traffickers. This move is part of a broader strategy to apply pressure on the Venezuelan regime and combat the flow of illegal drugs into the United States. “We have a war that’s coming through fentanyl, through opioids, through cocaine,” McCormick stated, adding that approximately 4,000 Pennsylvanians succumbed to drug overdoses in the last year alone.

The Trump administration has ramped up military presence in the Caribbean, deploying the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group, which consists of 11 ships and over 70 aircraft, as part of Operation Southern Spear. This operation aims to disrupt drug trafficking networks throughout the western hemisphere. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the nation experienced over 105,000 drug overdose deaths in 2023, placing enormous pressure on U.S. officials to act decisively against traffickers.

In a significant escalation, Trump announced that “all Airlines, Pilots, Drug Dealers, and Human Traffickers” should regard Venezuelan airspace as completely closed. The White House has attributed the rise in drug trafficking to Venezuelan gangs, claiming they are responsible for the influx of illegal opiates and cocaine into the United States. Yet, a 2019 Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) report indicated that much of the fentanyl originates from Mexico, with precursors sent from China.

The implications of closing Venezuelan airspace may extend beyond mere rhetoric. As of the latest reports, a FlightRadar24 map indicated no international flights were operating in Venezuelan airspace, with routes to nearby Aruba and Curacao visibly altered to avoid the region. Historically, nations involved in military conflicts have restricted airspace before initiating significant military actions.

The U.S. has taken further steps against the Venezuelan government, including strikes against alleged drug boats and placing a $50 million bounty on the head of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The Secretary of the Navy, John Phelan, described the battle against drug traffickers as a war, stating, “Drugs kill more Americans than we’ve ever lost in wars.”

Maduro’s government has rejected Trump’s airspace closure as a “colonial threat” that undermines Venezuela’s sovereignty. The Venezuelan leader, often criticized for his authoritarian regime, has faced allegations of electoral fraud and human rights abuses since taking office in 2013.

Despite rising military tensions, some U.S. officials, including Senator Markwayne Mullin from Oklahoma, have asserted that Trump has no intention of deploying ground troops to Venezuela. “What we’re trying to do is protect our own shores,” Mullin stated, emphasizing that the U.S. aims to prevent Venezuela from being a staging ground for drug shipments that harm American citizens.

As the situation develops, the international community watches closely, mindful of the potential ramifications for U.S.-Venezuela relations and the ongoing crisis stemming from drug trafficking. The push to combat drug-related violence is urgent, as it impacts not only domestic health but also international security dynamics.