Opening Pandora's box': What happens if the US attacks Venezuela?

"Since early September, the US has carried out military strikes on at least 21 Venezuelan boats it claims are trafficking drugs in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, killing at least 87 people. The Trump administration has justified the attacks as, it says, the inflow of drugs to the US threatens national security. However, it has provided no evidence of drug trafficking, and experts say Venezuela is not the main source of drugs such as cocaine being smuggled into the US."

"US President Donald Trump has given conflicting messages about whether he plans a ground operation inside Venezuela. He has simultaneously not ruled it out, while also denying he was considering strikes inside the country. He has, however, authorised CIA operations inside the country. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro claims Trump's real objective is to force a regime change by removing him from power, and warned that the country would resist any such attempt."

"Analysts say the US has several military options for striking Venezuela, most of which employ air and maritime power rather than ground troops. In recent months, the US has deployed a considerable air and naval force to the Caribbean, close to the coast of Venezuela, including the world's largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald Ford. The pieces are in place for an air and missile attack, Mark Cancian, a retired Marine Corps colonel and senior adviser with the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told Al Jazeera."

United States naval and air deployments have increased near Venezuela, raising the prospect of military action. Since early September, US strikes have targeted at least 21 Venezuelan boats alleged to be trafficking drugs, killing at least 87 people. The US government has cited drug inflows to justify attacks but has provided no evidence, and experts say Venezuela is not the main source of cocaine entering the US. President Trump has sent mixed signals about ground operations while authorising CIA activity inside Venezuela. President Maduro asserts US intent to effect regime change and vows resistance. Analysts say US options favor air and maritime strikes, with assets like the USS Gerald Ford positioned for missile attacks given Venezuela's air defenses.

Read at www.aljazeera.com