Trump Warns Venezuelan Jets Could Be Shot Down if They Threaten US Naval Forces
Former President Donald Trump issued a stark warning on Friday, saying that Venezuelan military aircraft would be shot down if they posed a threat to U.S. naval vessels operating near South America.
Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump responded to reports that Venezuelan fighter jets had flown close to U.S. ships for the second time in two days. “If they put us in a dangerous position, they’ll be shot down,” Trump said.
The escalation comes days after a U.S. strike on what officials described as a “drug-carrying vessel from Venezuela,” operated by the Tren de Aragua gang. Eleven people were reportedly killed in the operation.
In response to the rising tensions, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro accused the United States of fabricating allegations and warned against any move toward military conflict.
“Venezuela has always been willing to engage in dialogue, but we demand respect,” Maduro said. He rejected claims of drug trafficking links and reiterated that the country does not pose a threat to U.S. forces.
During the exchange with reporters, Trump suggested that further Venezuelan incursions would lead to swift retaliation. Referring to his military leadership beside him, Trump said, “If they escalate, you do whatever you have to do.”
Since returning to office in January, Trump has ramped up anti-narcotics operations in Latin America, deploying additional naval forces and thousands of Marines to the southern Caribbean.
The White House confirmed on Friday that 10 F-35 fighter jets are being stationed in Puerto Rico as part of the military build-up. “We’re strong on drugs,” Trump said. “We don’t want drugs killing our people.”
He also repeated claims that the Tren de Aragua gang, which the U.S. has designated a terrorist organization, operates out of Venezuela and contributes to a surge of narcotics into the U.S.
When asked if the U.S. was seeking regime change, Trump denied the allegation but criticized Venezuela’s last presidential election as “very strange.”
Trump has long targeted President Maduro, accusing him of narco-trafficking and corruption. In August, Trump doubled the U.S. reward for information leading to Maduro’s arrest to $50 million.
Maduro has repeatedly dismissed U.S. accusations, calling them politically motivated attempts to undermine Venezuela’s sovereignty.
