The U.S. has another move.
According to Central TV News, local time on October 23, according to flight tracking data, at least one U.S. B-1B bomber was approaching the Venezuelan coast. Earlier that day, U.S. President Donald Trump said he would soon see a ground military operation in Venezuela.
While the U.S. military is showing its force to the outside world, there are also many domestic problems in the United States. On October 23rd, local time, the U.S. federal government's "shutdown" entered its 23rd day. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that more flight delays and cancellations could occur in the United States as the "lockdown" continues.
In addition, as the U.S. government continues to "stop", the size of U.S. debt continues to rise.U.S. Treasury data on 22 showed that the total amount of U.S. government bonds broke $38 trillion for the first time.
U.S. B-1B bombers
On October 23, local time, according to flight tracking data, at least one U.S. B-1B bomber approached the Venezuelan coast on the same day.
Earlier on Oct. 23, when asked about reports of the U.S. sending B-1B bombers to the vicinity of Venezuela, U.S. President Trump replied that it was not accurate, but at the same time said the U.S. was unhappy with Venezuela for many reasons.
It is understood that as part of the so-called anti-drug operation, the United States has deployed invisible warplanes and naval ships, but has not yet released evidence of its fight against targeted drug smuggling.
U.S. Secretary of Defense ("Secretary of War") Hegseth announced on the evening of October 22nd that the U.S. military sank a "drug ship" in the international waters of the eastern Pacific Ocean that day, killing all three people on board. This is the ninth military strike carried out by the US military against a suspected drug trafficking ship since September, killing at least 37 people in total.
Relations between the United States and Venezuela have been tense recently. The United States deploys multiple warships in the Caribbean waters. Since September, the U.S. government has claimed to have sunk many so-called "drug carriers" in international waters off Venezuela and killed dozens of "drug dealers", and admitted to authorizing the CIA to launch covert operations in Venezuela. Maduro has repeatedly accused the United States of attempting to bring about regime change in Venezuela through military threats and military expansion in Latin America.
On October 23, local time, five Venezuelan coastal states launched “Independent Coast 200” defense exercises to address possible foreign military threats and safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The exercise was first carried out in the coastal area of Carabobo State in the north-central part of the country. The exercise focuses on defending six strategic locations including Palmasola, El Palito refinery, Puerto Cabello, and deploying air defense and communications facilities to strengthen early warning capabilities. At the same time, exercises in Nueva Esparta, Falcon and Sucre were also launched at the same time. Local troops indicated that they would maintain an active defensive posture to ensure the safety of coastal areas.
Venezuelan Defense Minister Padrino Lopez said on Monday that any US CIA action to undermine national stability would end in failure, saying the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (Venezuelan Armed Forces) and militias are conducting "Independent Coast 200" defense military exercises nationwide, and all forces have entered battle readiness to execute President Maduro's orders.
On October 22nd, Venezuelan President Maduro said in a televised speech that Venezuela has 5,000 Russian-made portable air defense missiles to defend national sovereignty.
Lots of United States flights delayed.
On October 23, local time, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said the current government "stop" lasted until the 23rd day, and a shortage of air traffic controllers has caused flights to several airports such as New York, Washington, New York and Houston to be delayed.
According to the FAA, there are currently 10 air traffic control locations in the United States with manpower problems, and temporary ground grounding measures have been implemented at LaGuardia Airport in new york, Bush Airport in Houston and Newark Airport. The average delay time at Washington Reagan National Airport is around 31 minutes.
According to CCTV News, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned on October 23 local time that as the government's "shutdown" continues, more flight delays and cancellations may occur in the United States.
During the government shutdown, some 13,000 air traffic controllers and about 50,000 Transportation Safety Administration officials werely forced to work unpaid.Daffey said last week that flight delays caused by the absence of air traffic controllers accounted for 53 percent of the total delay, compared to just 5 percent under normal circumstances.
At present, the federal government "stop" into the fourth week, "stop" negative effects on all aspects of society further highlighted, especially in the field of aviation, the shortage of personnel caused serious flight delays, and some airports suspended operations, raising concerns about aviation safety.
In addition, on October 23rd, the U.S. Senate vetoed a bill proposed by Republicans, which aimed to pay wages to active-duty military personnel and federal employees in other necessary positions who served during the government's "shutdown".
The U.S. Senate vetoed the bill with 54 votes in favour and 45 against, many Democrats said they wanted to pass a bill to pay wages for all federal employees, including forced leave employees, but Republican leadership opposed it.
Debt continues to rise
According to Xinhua news agency, the U.S. Treasury Department data on October 22 showed that the total amount of U.S. government debt for the first time broke $38 trillion.
As the U.S. government continues to stagnate, the size of U.S. debt continues to rise, hundreds of thousands of federal employees are displaced, and the economy is severely impaired.
Columbian Broadcasting Company said on 22nd that a government "stop" would indeed boost national debt. Such events delayed economic activity and fiscal decisions, and resulted in additional costs due to the suspension and resumption of federal projects. The U.S. Administration and Budget Office said the US government "stop" caused losses of up to $2 billion in 2013.
Michael Peterson, CEO of the Peter Peterson Foundation in the United States, said: "Debt reached $38 trillion during the government's 'shutdown' period. This is the latest and worrying sign that lawmakers have failed to fulfill their basic fiscal responsibilities." Just two months ago, debt exceeded $37 trillion.
The foundation predicts that U.S. debt interest payments will rise to $14 trillion over the next 10 years, a figure of $4 trillion over the past decade, which will significantly squeeze public and private spending in key economic sectors.
In May, Moody’s downgraded the U.S. sovereign credit rating from its highest AAA to AAA1, reflecting investor concerns about U.S. government debt expansion.