WILLEMSTAD - The United States will soon begin targeting Venezuelan drug traffickers on land, not just at sea. U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that maritime smuggling has “largely stopped,” prompting a shift toward arresting traffickers within Venezuela’s territory.
The announcement follows several months of U.S. operations against vessels near the Venezuelan coast, which Washington identifies as drug-trafficking boats. These operations have involved naval units and aerial surveillance across the Caribbean Sea, including waters north of Venezuela — close to Curaçao.
Growing U.S. Military Presence in the Region
The United States has been steadily increasing its military presence around Venezuela. One of the most notable deployments is a U.S. aircraft carrier sent to the region as part of a broader strategy to pressure Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
With heightened U.S. activity in the Caribbean, regional security dynamics are shifting, particularly for the ABC islands. Curaçao and Aruba often lie along smuggling routes between Venezuela and the Caribbean, making developments in U.S.–Venezuela tensions especially relevant.
Objective: Force Maduro Out Without Direct Invasion
President Trump stated that the ultimate goal is to apply enough pressure to force Maduro’s resignation without launching a military invasion. According to Trump, expanding operations onto land will be more effective than solely targeting maritime smugglers.
Regional Implications for Curaçao
The escalation of U.S. measures comes at a moment of renewed geopolitical friction surrounding Venezuela. For Curaçao, the shift may lead to:
stricter maritime and airspace monitoring
increased cooperation between U.S. forces and the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard
greater alertness from border authorities
possible diplomatic repercussions in the region
Local authorities and security agencies in Curaçao are closely monitoring the situation, given the island’s proximity to Venezuela and its strategic role in regional security.