New York [US], September 27: Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has offered US help in hunting down leaders of the Tren de Aragua drug cartel, as Washington deploys troops and warships in the Caribbean.
According to The India Express , this offer is part of President Maduro 's efforts to restart negotiations with the administration of US President Donald Trump .
President Maduro sent a letter to President Trump and spoke directly with US Special Envoy Ric Grenell, calling for dialogue to reduce tensions, while affirming that Venezuela is not a major source of drugs to the US.
Specifically, the Venezuelan side could help locate the leaders of the Tren de Aragua, a gang that Mr. Trump has repeatedly mentioned as the source of crime in the United States.
The Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan-based criminal gang that operates in several countries in the Americas, is involved in human trafficking, drugs, weapons, prostitution and extortion. The gang is a priority target for Mr. Trump in his fight to stop the flow of drugs from Venezuela into the United States.
"I respectfully invite you, Mr. President, to promote peace through constructive dialogue and mutual understanding throughout the hemisphere," Mr. Maduro said.
The US has not commented on the information. However, NBC News reported on September 27 that US military officials are drawing up plans to target drug traffickers inside Venezuela, and attacks could begin in the coming weeks.
According to sources familiar with the matter, the plans being discussed mainly focus on drone strikes against members and leaders of Tren de Aragua groups, as well as targeting drug laboratories.
In recent weeks, the US military has raided at least three Venezuelan boats accused of carrying drugs that could endanger Americans. The US has now deployed at least eight warships with more than 4,000 Marines and several fighter jets to the Caribbean.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper