Venezuelan Official Claims No Casualties Linked to Gang Amid US Military Action

Recently, the Venezuelan interior minister asserted that the 11 individuals killed in a US military strike targeting a boat in the Caribbean were not affiliated with the Tren de Aragua gang. This statement comes as the South American nation has heightened military readiness in response to rising tensions with the United States, which contends that the vessel was carrying illegal drugs but has provided limited details regarding the strike, despite calls for accountability from US lawmakers.

Diosdado Cabello, who is both the interior minister and a leader of the ruling party, remarked on state television regarding the incident, emphasizing that investigations revealed no connections to drug trafficking gangs. He expressed skepticism over how the US could ascertain that drugs were present on the boat and criticized the approach taken, noting that the individuals should have been apprehended rather than killed. Cabello also referred to a video by former President Trump, suggesting it was manipulated by artificial intelligence.

Amid these accusations, a White House spokesperson labeled those killed as narco-terrorists attempting to smuggle drugs and reiterated that Nicolás Maduro lacks legitimacy as Venezuela's president. In a show of force, Maduro announced the deployment of troops across 284 locations in Venezuela and emphasized preparedness for conflict if necessary. Although he claimed a substantial increase in military presence, reports from various cities indicated that no noticeable changes were evident.

The US has escalated its military operations in the Caribbean region as part of an intensified effort against drug trafficking, even increasing the reward for information leading to Maduro's arrest. The Venezuelan leader has consistently rejected the allegations against him and his government maintains that Venezuela is not a source of illegal narcotics.