What is going on in Venezuela?
The discussion between Mike Baker of the President’s Daily Brief and senior investigative reporter Joshua Philipp of the Epoch Times centered on recent developments surrounding Venezuelan territorial waters, the movements of drug trafficking vessels, and a series of targeted interdictions carried out by international and regional actors. The conversation focused on the role Venezuela currently plays in transnational narcotics shipping routes, the interests of non-state actors, the involvement of cartels with foreign backing, and the geopolitical environment that shapes enforcement efforts at sea.
The interview opened with background on Venezuela’s ongoing internal crisis, which has reshaped regional dynamics in South America. Philipp noted that Venezuela’s economic decline, widespread corruption within official institutions, and persistent instability in its border regions have combined to elevate the country’s place in international smuggling networks. These conditions have allowed major criminal organizations to operate with relative freedom, particularly along coastal routes. The result has been a significant increase in maritime drug shipments moving northbound through the Caribbean, often using small, fast boats designed to evade radar and surveillance systems.
Philipp described how cartels and smuggling groups have adapted to tighter border controls in Central America by shifting their routes farther south and east, relying increasingly on Venezuelan maritime access. This shift has drawn increased attention from the United States, Colombia, and other regional stakeholders concerned about narcotics trafficking feeding domestic drug markets and financing armed groups. According to Philipp, the U.S. Navy, Coast Guard, and allied forces have intensified monitoring in the Caribbean Basin, leading to a noticeable rise in targeted interdiction operations against vessels suspected of carrying narcotics.
Epoch’s Philipp Knows Geopolitics
The conversation then focused on the nature of the vessels being interdicted. Philipp explained that trafficking organizations are employing both traditional fishing-style boats and more specialized low-profile vessels capable of maintaining speed while staying barely above the waterline. In some cases, semi-submersible boats have been detected, indicating that trafficking networks are employing designs typically associated with more sophisticated operations.
Philipp emphasized that the targeting of drug boats has become more complex due to the presence of overlapping criminal networks, foreign intelligence relationships, and political alliances. Some factions within the Venezuelan government are believed to be supportive of or financially tied to trafficking operations, which complicates international interdiction and law enforcement coordination. Meanwhile, other nations in the region have adopted cautious policies, balancing public commitments to combating narcotics with concerns over provoking diplomatic or security conflicts.
Baker prompted discussion on the role foreign state actors may play in facilitating or enabling the logistics of smuggling in the region. Philipp highlighted that beyond the cartels themselves, external aid and cooperation agreements between Venezuela and certain foreign governments have resulted in enhanced port access, vessel repair capabilities, and communications support used by fleets that may include traffickers. The maritime environment surrounding Venezuela therefore represents not only a criminal concern but also a strategic and geopolitical intersection involving multiple national interests.
Philipp also noted the growing presence of non-state armed groups operating along Venezuela’s inland river routes, which feed into coastal export hubs. These groups serve as intermediaries between coca-producing regions in Colombia and ocean-bound smuggling channels. As enforcement pressures intensify on land, many of these actors increasingly rely on maritime transport, increasing the number of boats targeted in interdiction campaigns.
In the closing portion of the interview, Baker and Philipp discussed the likelihood of continued maritime enforcement pressures and the potential outcomes of ongoing geopolitical negotiations, regional military cooperation, and internal shifts within Venezuela. The situation remains fluid, with regional governments increasing intelligence-sharing and naval patrol coordination. However, the long-term effectiveness of these efforts depends on internal conditions within Venezuela itself, particularly the extent to which criminal networks maintain influence over key transportation hubs and official institutions.
Overall, the conversation presented a broad analytical overview of maritime drug trafficking activity near Venezuela and the international response to interdiction needs. The situation remains dynamic, shaped by a combination of political instability, criminal enterprise, foreign intervention interests, and evolving law enforcement efforts both at sea and on land.
