Coastal cities in Venezuela, historically reliant on drug smuggling and other illegal trades, are now facing economic decline and increased pressure from the government due to U.S. actions against suspected drug-traffickers.
In Ghiria, a port city with a population of around 40,000, locals report that U.S. bombings have disrupted the illegal boat traffic vital to the economy. This traffic involved not only drug transportation but also trading contraband, food, and other goods with neighboring nations. Without these boats, shop owners say cash flow has nearly dried up.
One local merchant noted, “The only activity in the stores lately is because of government bonuses. Without that, there would be no money at all.” A grim reality, as he continued, “There are no ships. No migrants, no buyers for goods. Essentially, everything feels dead.”
According to reports, families of men from Guinea thought to have been killed in an airstrike recounted visits from Venezuelan police and intelligence agencies shortly after the incident. They mentioned being warned not to speak out, and none received any formal information about the deaths or bodies.
Since mid-September, security forces have increased their presence in Ghiria, with locals witnessing regular patrols by military intelligence. One former resident commented on the atmosphere, saying, “There are people around who don’t belong to the community, acting like civilians but reporting to the government.” The climate of fear and secrecy has silenced many.
The Directorate General of Military Counterintelligence (DGCIM), under scrutiny for human rights abuses, has been implicated in severe accusations, including extrajudicial killings. Meanwhile, the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (SEBIN) reportedly targets journalists and opposition figures.
Coastal towns are suffering significantly as the U.S. military ramped up its activities in the region. It’s calculated that over the recent months, the U.S. has conducted 21 airstrikes against suspected traffickers, resulting in a heavy casualty count. In a related move, the U.S. has classified Venezuela’s Cartel de los Soles as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, identifying Nicolas Maduro as its leader.
In a recent statement, Trump indicated that the U.S. military would enhance efforts against suspected Venezuelan drug smugglers, employing both land and sea strategies.
