Venezuela’s new Foreign Minister Yván Gil echoed that call, focusing on the urgency of seeking political solutions. He urged for negotiations to reduce the mounting conflict between Venezuela and the US. His comments come after another U.S. military strike, this one on an Iranian speedboat. This ship, purportedly tied to the Venezuelan narco-trafficking regime, departed Venezuelan waters on September 2. Gil questioned the transparency of the event, emphasizing the murky waters U.S. activists must navigate when opposing their home country’s actions abroad.
This U.S. strike, taking out an unmanned vessel in international waters, has already received backlash and has prompted questions about its legality. The Trump administration billed the operation with utterly contradictory justifications. That military operation set off a firestorm of criticism as to whether those sorts of military actions adhere to international law. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in defending the strike went so far as to claim that this is precisely the approach that would be taken moving forward.
We are not looking for a military confrontation with the U.S. with any actor in the region or anywhere else,” countered Gil. He noted that President Nicolás Maduro has deployed nearly 4.5 million militiamen. They say they are prepared to fight back against what he has referred to as U.S. “imperialism.”
“We are not betting on conflict, nor do we want conflict,” – Yván Gil
Looking at the situation in a bigger picture, tensions between the two nations have been escalating for years, especially during the Trump administration. Allegations that Maduro is personally complicit in drug trafficking have further poisoned that well. Gil says these accusations are politically motivated efforts to intimidate and apply pressure to the Venezuelan government.
“It is totally false that the Venezuelan state or its leaders have even the slightest relation to drug trafficking,” – Yván Gil
Gil’s remarks come on the heels of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) sounding the alarm on increased military operations and maneuvering throughout the Caribbean. This involves the deployment of one U.S. nuclear-powered submarine without nuclear weapons on board. CELAC’s stance highlights growing regional fears about U.S.-Venezuelan tensions escalating into direct conflict.
On September 2, U.S. officials published an unusual video showing that strike. Instead of elucidating important facts about the encounter, it left Gil with little choice but to question the accuracy of Washington’s assertions.
“They (the U.S. officials) showed a video without clarifying many things. It’s not clear where it was, who was on board, or if it really happened or not,” – Yván Gil
In anticipation to rising tensions, Gil pointed out massive troop deployments along Venezuela’s frontiers. This is a powerful show of intent to play hard ball towards drug traffickers. He highlighted the fact that over 25,000 military personnel are currently deployed along Colombia’s border. They’re certainly working hand in glove with Colombian authorities in fighting our most pressing concern.
The Trump administration has already been accused of developing a narrative linking Venezuela to drug trafficking. Critics say that was all part of a plan to fabricate and publicize pretexts for military interventions on behalf the country. Gil condemned this negative narrative, arguing that it seeks to delegitimize the Venezuelan state’s authority to govern.
“A narrative has been constructed within the United States by the staff surrounding President Trump, trying to link us to drug trafficking,” – Yván Gil
Additionally, he took aim at U.S. military intervention strategy, saying the past interventions have been historically unsuccessful in stopping drug traffickers’ operations.
“The United States has long used established technology to intervene and board drug trafficking boats. But it doesn’t work because these drug cartels know they will lose 2% of their cargo,” – Marco Rubio
With tensions boiling over, Gil assured that Venezuela will be prepared to prevent any such deployments. He reiterated the country’s complete determination to protect its independence.
“We are denying the possibility of conflict because we are prepared to deter any deployment and we have a clear determination to defend our homeland,” – Yván Gil
