World · Latin America · 1 hr ago
US reportedly helped carry out deadly drone strike in Venezuela
The United States reportedly supported a drone strike against alleged members of Colombia’s ELN guerrilla group in Venezuela’s Apure state.
The operation took place near the Colombian border last Friday, according to US officials cited by a newspaper and a senior Venezuelan military officer.
A rights group reported at least 20 deaths, while another count put the toll at 23; Venezuelan authorities have not confirmed the attack.
The strike targeted an ELN base that was reportedly used to distribute cocaine, and local reporting identified eight of the dead.
The operation extends the US drug campaign onto Venezuelan soil, after earlier attacks on vessels off the coasts of Venezuela and Colombia.
The ELN has built up a presence in Venezuela, where it is reported to have between 900 and 2,000 fighters across border areas.
Venezuela has sent troops to the Colombian border and opened an investigation, but officials have not publicly confirmed details of the strike.
The United States reportedly provided intelligence and drone support for a strike against alleged ELN members in Venezuela’s Apure state.
The operation took place last Friday near the Colombian border, according to U.S. officials cited by The New York Times.
A rights group reported at least 20 deaths, while Fundaredes counted 23; The New York Times described the toll as about two dozen.
Venezuelan authorities have not officially confirmed the incident, and Interior and Justice Minister Diosdado Cabello said police would investigate “strange deaths.”
The strike comes amid a wider U.S. militarized campaign against drug trafficking in Latin America.
- Who
- The United States reportedly supported a strike against alleged members of Colombia’s ELN guerrilla group.
- What
- A drone strike reportedly killed about two dozen people. Fundaredes reported 23 deaths, while another account cited at least 20.
- When
- Last Friday, according to the articles.
- Where
- Apure state, Venezuela, near the border with Colombia.
- Why
- The strike targeted an ELN base that Fundaredes said was used as a cocaine distribution center.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
An airstrike in Bolívar state killed Tren de Aragua leader Héctor Guerrero Flores, according to the article.
A drone-supported operation reportedly targeted alleged ELN members in Apure state.
The New York Times reported that the United States participated in the strike.
- Location
- Apure state, Venezuela, near the Colombian border
- Reported deaths
- At least 20, according to human rights organizations; Fundaredes counted 23
- Identified victims
- Local reporters identified eight of the dead
- U.S. support
- Intelligence and drone support, according to four U.S. officials cited by The New York Times
- Target group
- Alleged members of the Colombian National Liberation Army (ELN)
4 sources
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U.S. Assisted Venezuela in Deadly Drone Strike, Officials Say
What people are saying
We do not want internal conflicts in Venezuela, especially those that are not ours
strange deaths