BBC News Interviews Brian Winter Regarding U.S. Strikes in Eastern Pacific
BBC News Interviews Brian Winter Regarding U.S. Strikes in Eastern Pacific
Designating the Cartel de los Soles as a terrorist group would be "another sign that the U.S. administration means business," said AS/COA's vice president.
BBC News journalist Claire Richardson interviewed Brian Winter, editor-in-chief of Americas Quarterly and vice president of Policy for Americas Society/Council of the Americas, about U.S. strikes against vessels in the Eastern Pacific.
Richardson asked the expert about recent news of the U.S. government intending to designate the Venezuelan-based Cartel de los Soles as a foreign terrorist organization. The designation is the Trump administration's latest effort to reduce drug trafficking and put pressure on Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro, as the United States considers whether to take military action inside the country. "What would this designation allow the U.S. administration to do?" Richardson asked during the interview. Winter replied that the designation is part of the legal underpinning that the U.S. government is trying to construct in favor of these strikes.
"They are aware of the legal debate happening, not just within the United States, but among many traditional U.S. allies in Europe as well as in Latin America itself. This is a designation that gives them, apparently, some legal cover to carry forth these strikes. And I think, as we expect, that there may be some missiles and bomb strikes within Venezuela itself over the next few days and weeks. This is an important step and another sign that the administration means business," said Winter.
Richardson also asked about recent news regarding the alleged intention of Maduro wanting to hold talks with the United States.
"That is an important development," said Winter. "And look, I think, and many analysts in this space are under the impression that this is largely about putting pressure on cartels, about showing to President Trump's base that he is taking tough action on a scourge illegal drugs that still is killing more than 60,000 Americans a year, and that if they can convince Nicolas Maduro to step aside, that would be a great bonus. President Trump's comments publicly, what some of his officials have also said, it suggests that that's more or less the framework. But nobody knows for sure, because President Trump takes great pride in being unpredictable. So the idea that he might open the door to some kind of negotiation is not, it's not a huge surprise."
