"President Trump escalated the U.S. drug war in dramatic fashion early Saturday, ordering the invasion of Venezuela and removing that country's president Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, who were quickly charged with narcotics trafficking by the U.S. Justice Department. But the stunning military action comes at a time when Trump has also freed or pardoned other convicted drug dealers and people accused of ties to drug gangs and cartels - notably the former president of Honduras."
"Targeting a 'campaign of deadly narco-terrorism' Venezuela's Maduro and Flores face charges of "drug trafficking and narco-terrorism conspiracies," according to an indictment made public by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi. "They will soon face the full wrath of American justice on American soil in American courts," Bondi said in a post on social media. The Justice Department charged Maduro in March 2020, during Trump's first administration, in connection with alleged narcoterrorism and drug smuggling into the United States."
"indictment alleged Maduro was the leader of the Cartel de los Soles, and that he and other defendants took part in a narco-terrorism conspiracy with the Colombian guerrilla group known as the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). During a Saturday news conference, Trump acknowledged other motives that led him to order the attack, including his desire to seize control of Venezuela's oil fields."
President Trump ordered a U.S. invasion of Venezuela early Saturday and removed Venezuela's president Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores. U.S. authorities quickly charged both with narcotics trafficking and alleged narco-terrorism conspiracies. The Justice Department previously charged Maduro in March 2020, alleging he led the Cartel de los Soles and conspired with the FARC to smuggle cocaine into the United States. Attorney General Pam Bondi stated they would face American courts. Trump cited drug trafficking as a key factor and also acknowledged motives tied to seizing Venezuela's oil fields. Trump has freed or pardoned other individuals accused of drug-related ties.
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