Rubio Announces Trump’s War on Venezuelan Drug Trafficking: “Shoot Them Down If Necessary”

(By Taylor-Molina) “They aren’t traffickers; they are narcoterrorists terrorizing the countries where they operate,” Rubio said during a press conference with Ecuador’s foreign minister Gabriela Sommerfeld.

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Explosive statements in Ecuador



  • Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced this Wednesday in Quito that Donald Trump’s administration is willing to “wage a war” against Venezuelan drug traffickers, including lethal operations.

  • U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio commented from Ecuador on the latest UN remarks: “I don’t care what the UN says; they know nothing. Nicolás Maduro is a drug trafficker accused by the New York grand jury; make no mistake, he is a drug trafficker and a fugitive from American justice…”

 

Key elements of the announcement:

 

  • Designation of terrorist groups: Los Choneros and Los Lobos (from Ecuador) were classified as foreign terrorist organizations.

 

  • Military assistance: the U.S. will donate $13.7 million to combat crime and UAV drone systems valued at $6 million to the Ecuadorian Navy.

 

  • Blow to Venezuela: Rubio defended the recent Marine strike on a cartel vessel of the Tren de Aragua cartel near Venezuela, which left 11 dead.



 

Criticism of the UN and warning to Maduro

 

  • Rubio dismissed the UN’s assessments of Venezuela: “Maduro is a fugitive from American justice, indicted for drug trafficking.” He recalled that the dictator faces charges in the Southern District of New York, where a grand jury accused him of leading a “criminal enterprise.”

  • “Unlimited” strategy

  • The secretary revealed that allied governments will help “identify and locate” targets: “If necessary, we will shoot them down. We will not stand idly by.” The stance follows Trump’s tweet after the attack: “Let this serve as a warning: BEWARE!”

Regional context

  • The strike on Venezuela marks a shift in U.S. anti-drug policy, traditionally focused on Mexico and Colombia.

  • Ecuador, once considered stable, faces a wave of violence from cartels that control cocaine routes to Europe.

What’s next?

 

  • More designations of groups as terrorists, enabling joint operations with intelligence sharing.

  • Economic and military pressure on governments that do not cooperate, Rubio warned



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