by the El Reportero‘s wire services
Authorities say they have “incredible” cooperation, not only on this matter but also regarding illegal migration.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday, during a meeting of the Trump Administration’s cabinet, that for the first time “in the modern era,” the United States is taking the offensive against drug cartels.
“We are truly on the offensive against organized cartels that are pumping deadly poison into our cities. And this is a team effort,” Rubio stated.
The official highlighted that they have built an “international coalition” with “incredible” cooperation. He named some Latin American and Caribbean countries that have joined this policy.
According to Rubio, “just in the past week,” Ecuador, Paraguay, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, and Argentina have joined. “All joining us or trying to be helpful in advancing this,” he added. He stressed that Washington no longer acts alone in the anti-drug fight but seeks regional allies to curb the production and export of illegal drugs to the United States.
These remarks come amid escalating tensions between Venezuela and the U.S. Rubio confirmed the deployment of naval and air forces in the southern Caribbean Sea and off the Venezuelan coast to combat drug trafficking, according to Washington.
Reuters reported that additional vessels would be deployed, including the guided-missile cruiser Lake Erie and the nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine USS Newport News. Analysts view the military presence as an effort to pressure Caracas. Washington has accused Venezuelan officials of links to drug networks, which Caracas denies.
Also on migration
Rubio said international collaboration is not only in the anti-drug field but also regarding “mass illegal migration.”
“We have countries helping us, either through third-country safe agreements or stopping the flow of migrants before they reach here. Incredible international cooperation,” he said.
He praised Trump for “redefining” the U.S. border. “It’s no longer just our physical border. We are taking action in advance and securing cooperation from countries we’ve never seen before,” he emphasized.
Rubio concluded that the strategy aims to anticipate migration flows by establishing agreements requiring migrants to seek asylum in third countries before reaching the U.S. This approach is intended to reduce pressure on the southern border while reinforcing the narrative that Washington is leading a coordinated international effort in both security and migration.
