Venezuela.- AMP.- The US says it is prepared to use "all" its resources to curb drug trafficking in Venezuela.

Caracas criticizes the "desperation of the US administration, which resorts to threats and defamation."

MADRID, 19 (EUROPA PRESS)

The United States asserted Tuesday that it is prepared to use "all" its resources to curb drug trafficking from Venezuela after the Pentagon deployed warships to the region and Caracas followed suit by deploying millions of militiamen to the country, citing a "peace plan" to combat external threats.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated at a press conference that US President Donald Trump "has been very clear and consistent" regarding Venezuela. "He is prepared to use the full force of American power to stop the flow of drugs into our country and bring those responsible to justice," she said when asked if he plans to deploy troops to Venezuelan territory.

During his speech, he reiterated that Nicolás Maduro's "regime" is "not a legitimate government of Venezuela," in the eyes of the Trump administration, but rather "a narco-terrorist cartel." "He is a fugitive leader of this cartel, accused in the United States of drug trafficking into the country," he added.

VENEZUELA: THE US "PUTS THE REGION'S STABILITY AT RISK"

Following his statements, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil criticized the "desperation of the US administration, which resorts to threats and defamation" against his country, and maintained that Washington's accusations about drug trafficking "reveal its lack of credibility and the failure of its policies."

"These threats not only affect Venezuela, but also jeopardize the peace and stability of the entire region," he warned. He emphasized that, "while Washington threatens," Caracas "is moving forward firmly in peace and sovereignty, demonstrating that true effectiveness against crime is achieved by respecting the independence of peoples."

In this regard, he asserted that "every aggressive statement confirms imperialism's inability to subdue a free and sovereign people." He also asserted that "since the expulsion of the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration)" from the country in 2005, they have achieved "convincing" results in the fight against organized crime.

Earlier this month, the U.S. government set the reward for information leading to the arrest of the Venezuelan president €43 million

Washington justified this decision, according to the Prosecutor's Office, because "the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has seized 30 tons of cocaine linked to Maduro and his associates and almost seven tons linked to the Venezuelan leader himself," while its ministry "has seized more than $700 million (almost €600 million) in assets linked to Maduro, including two private jets, nine vehicles, and much more."