Iran Condemns US Military Threats to Venezuela, Cautions of Fallout
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The Iranian Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson condemned US military deployments to Venezuela, warning of serious repercussions from the use of force against the Latin American nation.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Esmaeil Baqaei said the US actions in Latin America reflect a return to colonial-era policies.
“US interventions in Latin America are not new, but they have never been so blatant. A military campaign is in no way justifiable. We condemn these actions and warn of the consequences of using force against Venezuela,” he said.
The spokesman further dismissed US claims that the deployments are linked to combating drug trafficking, calling them a cover.
“We have reports regarding US officials’ connections to the Jeffrey Epstein case, which clearly show that the anti-transnational crime narrative is just a pretext,” he added.
The US Navy currently has two Aegis guided-missile destroyers –the USS Gravely and the USS Jason Dunham– in the Caribbean, along with the destroyer USS Sampson and the cruiser USS Lake Erie in the waters off Latin America.
US President Donald Trump’s administration has accused Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro of close connections to an array of drug trafficking and criminal organizations throughout the region, claims for which it has thus far failed to offer any evidence.
