Investing.com — The US Coast Guard is conducting operations against vessels allegedly involved in drug trafficking and carrying Venezuelan crude oil as part of a broader strategy to counter illicit activities linked to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Monday.
“We’re not just interdicting these ships, but we’re also sending a message around the world that the illegal activity that Maduro is participating in cannot stand, he needs to be gone, and that we will stand up for our people,” Noem stated during an interview on Fox News.
The US government has designated Maduro as the leader of Cartel de los Soles, a drug-trafficking organization that reportedly includes high-ranking Venezuelan government officials. The US has classified this group as a foreign terrorist organization.
The campaign has involved deadly strikes against suspected drug-trafficking vessels and interceptions of oil tankers carrying Venezuelan crude oil.
Noem praised the Coast Guard’s efforts, saying, “This is an enemy of the United States that we’re taking strong action against, and our Coast Guard is doing a rock-star job going out there and interdicting these ships safely, but also sending a strong message that we will stop this flow and we will continue to stand up for our country.”
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