🔗 Share this article Venezuela Begins Days of Military and ‘Electronic Warfare’ Drills After US Attacks on Suspected Narcotics Vessels The nation has initiated multiple days of armed drills on its island territory of the strategic island as strains escalate amid American naval movements. Rising Tensions in the Caribbean Military assets sent for what Washington labeled an drug interdiction effort have sunk at least two Venezuelan boats and a combined several suspects reportedly smuggling illicit substances across the region this period. The attacks and a deployment of US warships in the area have raised fears of a possible invasion in Venezuela. Venezuelan Reaction The operation ordered by the commander-in-chief was named “Sovereign Caribbean”, announced the defense chief. “There will be aerial defense systems with combat UAVs, monitoring devices, submarine drones... Our forces will conduct cyber defense maneuvers,” he announced. Public television displayed images of amphibious vessels and naval destroyers positioned off La Orchila, where Caracas maintains a military base. Military officials stated the exercises would involve multiple naval units, 22 aircraft and 20 small boats from the “naval special operations unit”. Background and Allegations The territory is close to the zone where the US intercepted and held a local craft for an extended period over the past few days. The president, whose previous votes were not recognized by the Washington and many other countries, has sworn that Venezuela will protect its sovereignty against what he described as US “interference” against his nation. American authorities is providing a $50m bounty for the apprehension of the president, who is accused of narcotics-related offenses. Rebuttals and Alternate Narratives Caracas has called for an probe of a US strike on an reported drug boat in recent days that claimed the lives of over a dozen persons. This was one of several crafts that US President Donald Trump said his nation had “knocked off” without offering evidence. “There is no proof, because authorities claim it transported narcotics but can this be verified?”, questioned the government representative. The official told reporters that law enforcement had intercepted more than 60 tonnes of drugs so far this period. “This amounts to the largest amount that has been recorded since over a decade ago,” said the minister, who – along with the leader and other government members – is under Washington's punitive measures. US Rationale The American leader has defended the use of force by declaring on online channels that “dangerous narcotics networks represent a danger to US National Security, Foreign Policy, and crucial objectives”. The US government has released recordings of multiple incidents and states it has irrefutable evidence that the individuals targeted were narcotics smugglers, without offering further proof to substantiate the allegations. The government has always refuted being a nexus for narcotics.