On October 24, local time, the U.S. Department of Defense (the “Ministry of War”) issued a statement stating that in response to U.S. President Trump’s instructions on dismantling transnational crime organizations (TCO) and fighting drug terrorism to defend the country, the U.S. Department of Defense (the “Minister of War”) has directed the “Ford” aircraft carrier strike group and its coalition to the area of responsibility of the U.S. Southern Command, that is, the Caribbean.
Increased U.S. military presence in the Southern Command area will enhance U.S. capabilities to investigate, monitor and deter illegal actors and activities that endanger U.S. domestic security and prosperity and the security of the Western Hemisphere.
Earlier this month, the Trump administration submitted a memorandum to Congress stating that the United States and a drug trafficking group identified by the United States as a terrorist organization “are in a non-international armed conflict.”
Recently, the United States deployed multiple warships in the Caribbean waters on the grounds of "combating drug trafficking." Since September, the Trump administration has claimed to have sunk several so-called "drug trafficking ships" in international waters off Venezuela. Recent reports from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration show that Venezuela is not the main source of drugs flowing into the United States. The Venezuelan government has repeatedly accused the United States of attempting to instigate regime change in Venezuela through military threats and carry out military expansion in Latin America. (CCTV reporter Cao Jian)