Trump vs Venezuela: Drug Claims, Military Strikes & the Real Data

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump has repeatedly justified recent U.S. military strikes on suspected drug-smuggling vessels from Venezuela by claiming the country is sending deadly narcotics into the United States.
But federal data and drug-trafficking experts tell a different story.

Operation Southern Spear: What the Mission Targets

On Nov. 13, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced on X that the U.S. military had launched Operation Southern Spear, a campaign aimed at destroying boats allegedly linked to Venezuelan criminal networks such as the Cartel de los Soles.

Hegseth stated:

“This mission defends our Homeland, removes narco-terrorists from our Hemisphere, and stops the deadly drugs killing our people.”

US Doubles Reward for Nicolás Maduro

In August, the U.S. government raised the reward for information leading to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to $50 million, citing accusations of drug trafficking and ties to criminal organizations.

Attorney General Pam Bondi called Maduro:

“One of the largest narco-traffickers in the world and a threat to U.S. national security.”

These claims have been used to justify expanding military actions in the Caribbean.

But Data Shows: Venezuela Isn’t Sending America’s Deadliest Drugs

While the Trump administration argues that Venezuela is responsible for the deadly drug crisis in the U.S., data shows:

• Venezuela is not a major source of fentanyl, the drug responsible for most U.S. overdose deaths.
• Venezuela is mainly associated with cocaine transit routes, and cocaine causes far fewer fatalities than fentanyl.
• No credible evidence links Venezuela to large-scale fentanyl smuggling.

Despite this, the administration continues to cite “deadly drug threats” to justify military action.

87 Killed in Recent Strikes — More Attacks Possible

Over the past few months, U.S. strikes have killed at least 87 suspected smugglers, including:

• Nine people killed in a Sept. 2 strike
• Two survivors, who clung to debris after the attack, were also later killed

President Trump has suggested that the U.S. may even consider striking Venezuelan territory if deemed necessary.