DZWatch Exclusive: The arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro marks the culmination of a period of steadily rising tensions, primarily fueled by U.S. policy shifts. A review of recent actions reveals a calculated build-up leading to this dramatic event.
The seeds of this confrontation were sown earlier this year. In a move that signaled a significant hardening of its stance, the Trump administration issued an executive order designating fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction. This reclassification broadened the scope of potential U.S. intervention against perceived threats.
Further escalating the situation, in September of last year, the administration formally notified Congress that the United States had entered a state of “armed conflict” with drug cartels. This declaration paved the way for military operations in the Caribbean, ostensibly targeting vessels involved in narcotics trafficking. These strikes, according to Washington, were intended to protect American citizens from the influx of cocaine and fentanyl.
The U.S. government framed its actions as a necessary defense against the flow of dangerous drugs into the country. However, critics have argued that these measures represented an overreach of power and a violation of international law. The recent arrest of President Maduro is seen by many as a direct consequence of these escalating policies.
DZWatch will continue to provide in-depth coverage and analysis of this developing situation.
