Tensions Between the U.S. and Venezuela Rise in the Caribbean

What Happened?

The United States Navy has deployed at least seven warships to the southern Caribbean Sea in order to carry out counter-drug operations, according to a Pentagon spokesman. In response, Venezuela’s Ambassador to the United Nations criticized the move, saying ‘It's a massive propaganda operation to justify what the experts call kinetic action - meaning military intervention in a country which is a sovereign and independent country and is no threat to anyone.’

The Trump Administration also issued a public statement, saying it would use ‘every element of American power to stop drugs from flooding into our country.’

Why it Matters

While the presence of U.S. Navy warships in the Caribbean is not unusual by itself, the number of vessels being deployed is higher than normal. In addition to the seven surface warships, at least one fast attack nuclear submarine was also reported to be in the area. While the ships are currently operating in international waters, the sharp response from nearby Venezuela represents the sharpest confrontation between Venezuela and the U.S. in years.

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Venezuela’s President Maduro referred to the U.S. operations as a siege, adding ‘There is no way they can enter Venezuela.’ Mr. Maduro was accused of illegally claiming victory in Venezuela’s last presidential election, and the country has seen a massive outmigration due to endemic corruption and gang-related violence. 

Venezuela is a petro-state, meaning the government derives most of its revenue from the sale of oil, and competing factions within the government often vie for control of the most petro-dollars while ignoring their official duties. The result is a notoriously corrupt and inefficient government, which has in turn fueled widespread poverty and lawlessness in Venezuela. As a result, tens of thousands have fled the country, with many of them hoping to make the perilous journey north to the United States.

Illegal drugs flowing north from central and South America originate in countries like Venezuela, where enforcement of the laws is lax and corrupt government officials often take a slice of the profit by allowing drug cartels to move illicit drugs north of the border. Drug cartels and government officials are often essentially business partners, as is the case for some parts of the government in Venezuela. 

How it Affects You

The Trump Administration has not given specifics on its planned crackdown against drug trafficking for this latest operation in the Caribbean. Though Maduro’s response illustrates the challenges of conducting anti-drug operations in Latin America, where national governments sometimes paint U.S. interdiction efforts as threats to their sovereignty.

The drug problem in Latin America is so large, even if the U.S. and other governments worked together it would still be difficult to remedy. When other governments actively oppose U.S. operations, it only helps drug traffickers. 

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The Deloitte rankings are based on submitted applications and public company database research, with winners selected based on their fiscal-year revenue growth percentage over a three-year period.

In making an investment decision, investors must rely on their own examination of the issuer and the terms of the offering, including the merits and risks involved. Mode Mobile has filed a Form C with the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with its offering, a copy of which may be obtained here: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1748441/000164117225025402/ex99.pdf