03-11-2025

US Strikes Against Venezuela, Cartels Raise Concerns

Date: 03-11-2025
Sources: bbc.com: 1 | cbsnews.com: 1 | foxnews.com: 1 | scmp.com: 1 | straitstimes.com: 1
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Image Source:

Source: straitstimes.com

Image content: The image is a composite of two photographs, featuring US President Donald Trump and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. The image relates to the news article as it visually represents the two leaders involved in the tense situation between the US and Venezuela. **Key Elements:** * **Main Subject:** The main subjects are Donald Trump and Nicolas Maduro. * **News-Worthy Context:** The image highlights the contrast between the two leaders, with Trump gesturing emphatically on the left and Maduro speaking into a microphone on the right. * **Relevance to News Coverage:** The image is relevant to the news coverage as it illustrates the key figures involved in the diplomatic tensions and military actions described in the article. **Concise Description:** This image features a split-screen comparison of US President Donald Trump and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, highlighting their contrasting roles in the escalating tensions between the two nations. The image is likely used to accompany news coverage of the situation, providing a visual representation of the key leaders involved.

Summary

US President Donald Trump has downplayed the likelihood of war with Venezuela while continuing military strikes against alleged drug smugglers in the Caribbean, killing at least 64 people. The strikes have raised concerns among lawmakers about their legal justification, with some accusing the US of violating international law. Meanwhile, Trump revealed that Chinese President Xi Jinping assured him that Beijing would not take action against Taiwan during his term.

Key Points

  • US has carried out 15 military strikes against alleged drug smugglers in the Caribbean since early September, killing at least 64 people
  • Trump administration defends strikes as necessary to counter narcotics trafficking, but lawmakers raise concerns about legal justification
  • Trump downplays likelihood of war with Venezuela, but suggests President Maduro's days are numbered
  • Chinese President Xi Jinping assures Trump that Beijing will not take action against Taiwan during his term

Articles in this Cluster

Trump says he doubts US will go to war with Venezuela

US President Donald Trump has downplayed the likelihood of going to war with Venezuela, despite ongoing US military strikes on alleged drug-smuggling boats in the Caribbean. Trump suggested that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro's days in office are numbered, but maintained that the US actions are aimed at stopping narcotics trafficking. The strikes have killed at least 64 people since early September. Trump also discussed nuclear testing, government shutdown, and immigration during the CBS 60 Minutes interview.
Entities: Donald Trump, Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, United States, CaribbeanTone: neutralSentiment: negativeIntent: inform

U.S. carries out lethal strike against alleged drug carriers in Caribbean, killing at least 3 - CBS News

The U.S. military has carried out a lethal strike against alleged drug smugglers in the Caribbean Sea, killing at least three people. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the strike on social media, stating that the targeted vessel was operated by a U.S.-designated terrorist organization. This is the 15th such strike carried out by the U.S. military in the Caribbean or eastern Pacific since early September, resulting in at least 64 deaths. The strikes are part of the Trump administration's campaign to counter narcotics traffickers, with President Trump justifying the attacks as a necessary escalation to stem the flow of drugs into the United States. However, lawmakers have raised concerns about the legal justification for the strikes, and Colombian President Gustavo Petro has accused the U.S. of violating international law and killing innocent civilians. Senate Democrats have requested more information about the strikes, including the legal opinions and the list of targeted groups.
Entities: Pete Hegseth, Caribbean Sea, U.S. military, Trump administration, Gustavo PetroTone: neutralSentiment: negativeIntent: inform

War Department launches 15th strike in Trump’s anti-cartel campaign | Fox News

The US Department of War, led by Secretary Pete Hegseth, announced its 15th strike against alleged narco-terrorists in the Caribbean Sea, killing three suspected smugglers. The operation is part of a broader campaign against transnational cartels, authorized by President Donald Trump. The strikes have killed at least 64 people, with Democrats calling for greater transparency on the legal rationale behind the operations. The administration has defended the strikes as a necessary measure to disrupt the flow of drugs into the US, arguing that cartels have evolved into transnational terror organizations.
Entities: Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump, Caribbean Sea, US Department of War, narco-terroristsTone: neutralSentiment: negativeIntent: inform

Trump says he has assurances from Beijing of no attack on Taiwan during his term | South China Morning Post

US President Donald Trump stated that Chinese President Xi Jinping assured him that Beijing would not take any action on Taiwan during his term in office. Trump made the comments in an interview with CBS News, saying that Xi never brought up the subject of Taiwan when they met last week. Trump declined to elaborate on the assurances, saying 'I can't give away my secrets.' The US is committed to supplying Taiwan with weapons, but does not recognize it as an independent state. Trump also hinted that Xi understands the consequences of taking action against Taiwan.
Entities: Donald Trump, Xi Jinping, Taiwan, China, United StatesTone: neutralSentiment: positiveIntent: inform

Trump says US not eyeing war with Venezuela, but Maduro’s days are numbered | The Straits Times

US President Donald Trump stated that the US is not planning to go to war with Venezuela, but indicated that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's time in office is limited. Trump's comments came amid heightened tensions between the two countries, with the US having conducted military strikes on alleged drug-trafficking vessels in the Caribbean. Maduro has accused the US of seeking regime change to gain control of Venezuela's oil resources. The US has not publicly provided evidence that its targets were involved in narcotics smuggling or posed a threat to the US.
Entities: Donald Trump, Nicolas Maduro, United States, Venezuela, CaribbeanTone: neutralSentiment: negativeIntent: inform