US President Donald Trump continued to threaten ground strikes against alleged Venezuelan drug traffickers during an interview published today, as officials from his administration prepare to brief senior US lawmakers on developments amid rising tensions in the region, Reuters reported, BTA reported.
The president said he would expand operations against drug trafficking to Mexico and Colombia during an interview with “Politico“, which also included attacks on Europe, calls for Ukraine to hold elections and support for the leadership of Hungary.
The comments follow the publication of the new US National Security Strategy days ago, in which the country's global role is presented in a new framework. The document describes a nation focused on reasserting itself in the Western Hemisphere while warning Europe that it must change course or face “obliteration.”
“They’re weak. They want to be so politically correct. They don’t know what to do. Europe doesn’t know what to do,” Trump told Politico, referring to European political leadership.
In terms of the Americas, Trump has repeatedly refused to rule out sending U.S. troops to Venezuela to oust President Nicolas Maduro. He said he did not want to discuss military strategy.
When asked if he would consider using force against targets in other countries with active drug trafficking, including Mexico and Colombia, he said, "I would."
Later today, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegsett, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Air Force Lt. Gen. Dan Kaine, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are expected to brief the presidents of both houses of Congress and the heads of the intelligence committees on what is happening. The briefing follows a months-long military campaign against suspected drug ships in the Caribbean and Pacific that has come under heavy criticism.