On the state sponsorship question, the intelligence picture is actually more nuanced than the Trump administration claims. A declassified National Intelligence Council report from May found that Maduro’s government “probably does not have a policy of cooperating with” Tren de Aragua and that Maduro is “not directing” the gang’s operations in the US , though it acknowledged Venezuela provides a “permissive environment” for them to operate. This suggests more of a failed state scenario than active state sponsorship.
Trump says 11 killed in strike on alleged drug-carrying boat from Venezuela
The US military attack comes as the US surges military presence in the Caribbean, risking an escalation with Venezuela.
The Venezuelan government is hugely corrupt. There are officials in the narco business. Former Venezuelan intelligence chief Hugo Carvajal recently pleaded guilty to conspiring to import cocaine and is reportedly cooperating with US federal prosecutors against Maduro.
The so-called “Cartel of the Suns” - named after military insignia - appears to involve corrupt Venezuelan military officials who profit from drug trafficking.
Venezuela has become more of a failed state due to the mismanaging of the economy which destroyed life for many so they had to flee. A quarter of the population has left over the last decade.
I think people can recognize this reality while also saying a military intervention isn’t what’s needed.
