US to continue strikes on suspected narco-trafficking vessels: White House

By Diyar Guldogan

WASHINGTON (AA) - The White House declined Monday to say whether the US is preparing to enter a “new phase” in its Venezuela strategy but signaled that President Donald Trump remains focused on pressuring President Nicolas Maduro’s government and expanding counter-narcotics operations in the region.

Asked whether a shift in policy was underway, spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt refused to preview potential actions.

"I'm not going to broadcast any actions that may or may not be happening with respect to Venezuela," Leavitt told reporters.

"I know I've been very clear about the administration's position, as has the president and his national security team. We view the Maduro regime as being illegitimate," she said.

Leavitt emphasized that Trump has been “very satisfied” with recent US strikes targeting what officials have described as narco-terrorist and foreign terrorist groups involved in drug trafficking toward the US. She said Trump has made it clear that he will "not tolerate" such activity and suggested that the military operations are far from over.

"He's not going to tolerate that, and you can expect to see those strikes continue," she added.

The US on Monday formally designated the Venezuela-based Cartel de los Soles as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO).

The United States has for months been expanding military operations across Latin America, deploying Marines, warships, fighter and bomber jets, submarines and drones amid speculation that the US could launch an attack on Venezuela, though Trump said Friday that he would soon speak with his Venezuelan counterpart Nicolas Maduro.

Maduro has said Venezuela is ready for “face-to-face” dialogue with Washington.