The President of the United States, Donald Trump, affirmed this Thursday that he does not need authorization from Congress to order bombings against targets linked to drug trafficking in Venezuela.
According to EFEthe statements occur in the middle of the escalation full of tensions with the Government of Nicolás Maduro, and while the president of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silvaoffered as a mediator to avoid an armed conflict in the region.
“I wouldn’t mind telling it (to Congress), but it’s not that big of a deal. I don’t have to tell them, it’s already proven,” Trump said at an event at the White House, about the possibility of informing the Legislature of possible attacks against drug trafficking interests in Venezuela.
The statements come after the US president warned that Washington could initiate attacks against “ground targets” in the Caribbean country and announce the total blockade of oil tankers sanctioned who enter or leave Venezuela with crude oil.
Trump, Venezuela and the fabrication of a pretext
Trump accused the Venezuelan Executive of appropriating US oil fields and assets, in apparent reference to the expropriations carried out during the Government of Hugo Chávez.
Since the summer, The United States has significantly deployed military forces in the Caribbean with the argument of combating drug trafficking, for which Caracas is also responsible.
Starting in September, this operation has included the bombing of more than two dozen vessels suspected of transporting drugs, actions that have led to the death of nearly a hundred people.
Trump’s position contrasts with recent statements by his Cabinet Secretary, Susie Wiles.
Wiles noted in an interview that A military operation on Venezuelan soil would imply “war” and that, in that scenario, the president would need the approval of Congress.
In response to the increase in tensions, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro asked the American people this Thursday to “raise the flags of peace” and assured that Washington’s plans seek a regime change in the country.
During an event broadcast on state television, he stated that Venezuela will continue to export its products despite threats and sanctions.
Lula proposes mediating to avoid regional war
For his part, the president of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, reiterated his willingness to mediate between the United States and Venezuela to avoid a war in Latin America, a region that, he stressed, must remain a zone of peace.
Venezuela defies Trump and assures to maintain oil exports “normally”
Lula confirmed that at the beginning of this month he spoke separately with Trump and Maduro, to whom he raised the need for a diplomatic solutionhe pointed out EFE.
“Things are not resolved with shots, but with political dialogue,” he said in a press conference, in which he offered to facilitate conversations with both governments and with other countries in the region.
The Brazilian president said he did not understand the reasons for the current tension between Washington and Caracas and mentioned oil, strategic minerals or an attempt to overthrow the Venezuelan government as possible factors.
However, he insisted that the priority is prevent an increase in hostilities and avoid an armed conflict in South America.
