Washington DC (US), BNN Web Staff— U.S. Vice President JD Vance emphasized on Thursday that the United States is committed to dismantling the power of criminal cartels in the Western Hemisphere to restore regional stability and strengthen legitimate governments.
Speaking on the administration’s strategic vision, Vance linked long-term peace to the assertion of American authority. “One of the ways that you establish peace in your own hemisphere is to make it clear that the United States is going to be respected,” Vance stated. He added that the U.S. is prepared to “take power away from criminal cartel organizations” and transfer it to recognized, lawful authorities.
Shift to Land-Based Operations
The Vice President’s remarks follow a significant announcement by President Donald Trump, who indicated that the administration’s anti-drug campaign will soon expand from maritime interceptions to land-based strikes. In a recent interview, Trump claimed the U.S. has neutralized 97% of drug trafficking via water and will now focus on targets on the ground. “The cartels are running Mexico,” Trump asserted, signaling a more aggressive posture toward the networks operating across the southern border.
Context of Regional Intervention
This escalation follows high-stakes military actions in the region, including:
Capture of Nicolas Maduro: Last Saturday, U.S. forces captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, who now face narco-trafficking charges in the U.S.
Strikes on Tren de Aragua: White House and Pentagon officials have justified lethal strikes against vessels in the Caribbean, identifying those aboard as members of the Tren de Aragua gang, a designated foreign terrorist organization.
Oil Industry Pressure: The administration has sought to secure between 30 to 50 million barrels of oil from Venezuela as part of its ongoing regional strategy.
International Pushback
The administration’s “interventionist” approach has drawn sharp criticism from global leaders. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum reiterated her country’s rejection of foreign interference, stating that “intervention has never brought democracy” or lasting stability.
Similarly, leaders from Brazil and Russia have condemned the recent military actions in Venezuela as a violation of international law and sovereign integrity.
