U.S. Launches Drone Strikes Against Cartels in Venezuela

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The U.S. government has intensified its efforts to combat drug cartels in Latin America by conducting a series of drone strikes in Venezuela, a country historically known as a haven for illicit drug trafficking. The operation, carried out over the weekend in a rural region, targeted the National Liberation Army (ELN), a guerrilla group designated as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, and other nations.

Coordinated Strike with Venezuelan Military

The drone strikes were executed in coordination with the Venezuelan military, which secured the area following the attack. The ELN, originally based in Colombia, has been linked to numerous terrorist activities and is known for using drug trafficking to fund its operations. Despite its portrayal as a leftist freedom-fighting group, the ELN has been responsible for some of Colombia’s most severe terrorist incidents.

According to local reports, the strike resulted in the deaths of up to 20 cartel members. Graphic footage shared on social media has captured the aftermath, showing the bodies of the deceased. These images have sparked international attention and debate over the effectiveness and morality of such targeted military actions.

Part of a Broader Anti-Cartel Strategy

The attack in Venezuela is part of the broader U.S. initiative known as the Shield of the Americas, which involves over a dozen Latin American countries in joint efforts to eradicate drug cartels. The U.S. military has also conducted similar operations in other countries, including Colombia, where joint operations have targeted terrorist cartel organizations.

Former Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, who is currently in a U.S. jail awaiting trial on drug charges, has been a central figure in the country’s history of drug-related violence. His regime has been accused of fostering an environment conducive to cartel activities, making Venezuela a key target in the U.S. campaign against organized crime in the region.

Source: Breitbart

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claire.thomson