The head of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Terry Cole, has accused Venezuela of becoming a central hub in the global cocaine trade. Speaking in an interview with Fox News, Cole said Venezuela has turned into what he described as a “narco-terrorist state.” According to him, Venezuelan authorities are working side by side with armed Colombian guerrilla groups such as the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the National Liberation Army (ELN).
U.S. Accuses Venezuela of Drug Trafficking Role
Cole explained that these groups use Venezuelan territory to ship large amounts of cocaine. From Venezuela, the shipments are sent to Mexican cartels, which then move the drugs into the United States. He emphasized that these drug routes are not small or isolated but involve what he called “record amounts of cocaine.”
The DEA chief warned that the drug trade is worsening America’s addiction crisis. He said the rising supply of cocaine is adding to an already heavy problem of methamphetamine and fentanyl abuse. U.S. authorities have stated that cocaine seizures in 2025 have already gone beyond the levels recorded in previous years. This, according to Cole, is a clear signal that drug networks are expanding even as law enforcement tries to break them apart.
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He also said that cartels and guerrilla groups are finding ways to work around U.S. crackdowns, making the fight against drugs more difficult. “Venezuela has become the launch point for this poison that ends up on American streets,” Cole said.
Accusations Against Venezuelan Government and Gangs
Cole’s remarks echoed claims that have often been repeated by President Donald Trump. He directly accused Venezuela’s government of working hand in hand with violent gangs and guerrilla groups. One example he pointed to was the Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan gang that U.S. authorities say is responsible for brutal crimes both inside Venezuela and abroad. Earlier this year, the Trump administration officially labeled the Tren de Aragua as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.
Cole claimed that this gang is supported by the Venezuelan government and that its members are being sent into the United States. He accused them of carrying out crimes that harm American communities. “Venezuelan corruption, the Venezuelan dictatorship, is narco-terrorist,” Cole said. “They keep sending this poison to the United States, killing hundreds of thousands of Americans, not to mention the members of the Tren de Aragua gang they send to our country to destroy its beautiful streets.”
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The accusations against Venezuela are not new. The U.S. government has for years claimed that high-ranking Venezuelan officials are tied to drug trafficking. In fact, President Nicolás Maduro himself was indicted in New York in 2020. The charges included narco-terrorism and conspiracy to import cocaine into the United States. Several of Maduro’s close allies were also charged in the same case.
To increase pressure, the Trump administration earlier this month raised the reward for Maduro’s arrest. It went from $25 million to $50 million, making him one of the most wanted political figures in the world in the eyes of the U.S. government.
Military moves and political reactions in Venezuela
The accusations and legal cases are not the only moves being made. The U.S. has also deployed military power to the Caribbean region near Venezuela. According to a U.S. official speaking to CBS News, three American warships—the USS Gravely, USS Jason Dunham, and USS Sampson—are now operating in those waters. These ships are Aegis-guided missile destroyers and are carrying around 4,000 troops. Officials said the deployment will last for several months and is part of Washington’s counter-narcotics mission.
This move is seen as part of President Trump’s broader strategy of using military force to fight drug cartels and stop illegal shipments from reaching U.S. shores.
In response to these actions, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro announced the mobilization of more than 4.5 million militia members. At a public event, Maduro accused the United States of threatening his country’s security and called Washington’s moves aggressive. “The empire has gone mad and has renewed its threats to Venezuela’s peace and tranquility,” he declared.
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At the same time, the White House defended its stance in strong terms. Spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said that the United States will “use every element of American power to stop drugs from flooding into our country.” She described Maduro’s government as “a narco-terror cartel,” repeating the accusations made by DEA officials and the Trump administration.
The accusations, indictments, and military deployments highlight just how tense the relationship between Washington and Caracas has become. With drug seizures at record highs and both governments trading strong words, the situation underscores the seriousness of the drug crisis and the role Venezuela is accused of playing in it.