A fresh diplomatic storm is brewing as Donald Trump brands Nicolás Maduro a “drug-trafficking threat,” deploying troops and warships to the Caribbean even as evidence remains thin and critics call the move more political than practical.
A new crisis has erupted between the United States and Venezuela after former U.S. President Donald Trump labeled Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro a “major drug-trafficking threat” to America. The charge resurfaced when U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced a $50 million reward for information leading to Maduro’s arrest, reviving indictments first filed by the Justice Department in 2020.
Within hours of the announcement, Washington escalated dramatically, deploying thousands of troops, naval vessels, and surveillance aircraft to the Caribbean. The sudden military buildup came just days after both governments had cooperated on a prisoner swap and approved Chevron’s resumption of Venezuelan oil exports.
Caracas has flatly rejected the allegations. Venezuelan lawmakers argue that since the country does not cultivate coca, the raw crop used for cocaine, it cannot sustain a major trafficking operation. UN and DEA data largely support this claim, showing that Colombia, Peru, and Bolivia dominate cocaine production, with Venezuela appearing only occasionally as a transit point.
Still, Venezuela has long faced scrutiny over alleged trafficking networks, particularly the so-called “Cartel de los Soles.” While experts dispute whether it functions as a centralized cartel, many agree that elements of the Venezuelan military have facilitated cocaine shipments. High-profile cases — including the conviction of First Lady Cilia Flores’ nephews and the guilty plea of former intelligence chief Hugo “El Pollo” Carvajal — have fueled suspicions of state complicity.
U.S. prosecutors argue that Maduro benefits indirectly, drawing comparisons to Panama’s Manuel Noriega, who profited from Colombian cartels in the 1980s. But critics say the White House is exaggerating Venezuela’s role. UN data shows that cocaine flows through Venezuela remain marginal compared to trafficking routes via Colombia’s Pacific corridor and Ecuador.
Whether Maduro himself can be directly tied to drug operations remains uncertain. Much now hinges on Carvajal’s upcoming sentencing on October 29, where his cooperation with U.S. prosecutors could either strengthen Washington’s case or expose it as politically motivated.
For now, the accusations underscore a dangerous blend of geopolitics and law enforcement, leaving Venezuela caught between international suspicion and the lack of concrete evidence.
