While the US military is strongly affected worldwide by the Covid-19 pandemic, President Donald Trump announced Wednesday 1er April launch of a large-scale drug operation in Latin America. "Today, the United States announces enhanced drug operations on the South American continent to protect the American people from the deadly scourge of illegal drugs"said Trump when opening his daily coronavirus press conference.
Defense Minister Mark Esper said the president had ordered the transfer of additional destroyers, combat ships and surveillance aircraft to the US military's southern command, which covers South America. "These additional forces will almost double our ability to conduct drug operations in the region", said the head of the Pentagon.
Venezuela in the crosshairs
The goal is clear: to further destabilize Venezuelan power, deemed illegitimate by Washington since the disputed reelection of Nicolas Maduro to the presidency. "Corrupt actors like the illegitimate Maduro regime in Venezuela depend on drug trafficking to keep their oppressive regime in power", added the Minister of Defense.
Chief of Staff General Mark Milley has warned that the coronavirus will not prevent the United States from defending itself with measures "Aggressive" against drug trafficking. " You will not pass ", he launched. "It is not a good time to try to enter the United States. We are the US military. We will defend our country, whatever the price to pay ”.
This martial announcement comes as the US military, heavily involved in the United States in the fight against Covid-19, is confined to its bases around the world to protect its ranks from the epidemic. A nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the USS Theodore Roosevelt, is even being partially evacuated to Guam, in the Pacific, in an attempt to stop rampant coronavirus contamination.
