Tensions in the Caribbean continue to rise as Venezuela issues a fresh warning to Trinidad and Tobago, while the United States signals further military action in the region. Venezuelan officials are accusing its regional neighbours of facilitating aggression, even as Washington confirms new lethal strikes and hints at possible land operations.
00:00Venezuelan Justice Minister Diosdado Cabello has doubled down on a warning directed at Trinidad and Tobago as geopolitical tensions escalate across the region.
00:11Speaking during a tour of Venezuela's police coordination center, Cabello insisted that while Venezuela seeks no conflict, it would respond forcefully if its sovereignty is threatened.
00:21Cabello said, quote, Venezuela doesn't fight with anyone, but if they allow their territory to be used to attack Venezuela, we will respond with maximum force, end quote.
00:32Meanwhile, the United States has confirmed another lethal operation, saying it carried out a kinetic strike on a low-profile vessel allegedly involved in drug smuggling in international waters in the Eastern Pacific Ocean on December 22nd.
00:49One man on board was killed. U.S. President Donald Trump, speaking to reporters at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, hinted that further escalation, including land-based operations, could be imminent.
01:02Drugs are down 96.2 percent coming into the United States, 92.6 by sea, and soon we'll be starting the same program on land.
01:14The land is much easier. But every one of those boats that we knocked out saved 25,000 lives.
01:24So we saved 25,000 lives every time we knock out one of those boats with the drugs pouring in.
01:29And you just have to see it. I mean, people say, oh, gee, do you think, do you think it was really drugs?
01:34Well, just take a look. Bags all over the place. That's not fishing equipment.
01:39Trump was later asked whether these efforts were aimed at forcing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro out of office.
01:46He can do whatever he wants. I mean, we have a massive armada formed, the biggest we've ever had, and by far the biggest we've ever had in South America.
01:58He can do whatever he wants. It's all right. Whatever he wants to do. If he wants to do something, if he plays tough, it'll be the last time he's ever able to play tough.
02:06On the issue of seized tankers carrying Venezuelan oil, Trump made it clear the United States has no intention of returning them, saying the vessels and their cargo will be kept.
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