The Brian Lehrer Show US Strikes on Venezuelan Alleged Drug Boats
Nov 19, 2025
Regina Garcia Cano, an Andes correspondent at The Associated Press, offers compelling insights into the U.S. military's escalation against alleged drug boats off Venezuela. She discusses the shifting focus of U.S. interventions from traditional Coast Guard methods to military strikes. Regina reveals the complex profiles of those impacted, from fishermen to criminals, and details the fear among families silenced by repression. The discussion also touches on Venezuela's ties with Russia and China, and the implications of U.S. sanctions on local life amid ongoing tensions.
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U.S. Military Escalation Near Venezuela
- The U.S. has escalated military actions near Venezuela, striking suspected drug boats and sending a large carrier group.
- Authorities frame it as countering drugs while Venezuela calls it a pretext to oust President Maduro.
Mixed Cargo, Not Fentanyl Claims
- Regina Garcia Cano found boats from Venezuela often carry mixed cargo: fish, fuel, migrants, wildlife, and sometimes drugs.
- Local sources mentioned cocaine but did not report fentanyl on those boats.
Profiles Of Men Killed In Strikes
- Regina identified several deceased men: a fisherman, a bus driver, a former cadet, and a local crime boss.
- Most came from poor, economically depressed villages with scarce job opportunities.