US President Donald Trump has expressed the belief that Venezuelan drug cartels will soon shift to land routes to smuggle illicit substances into the country, and has not ruled out the use of force by Washington to curb such activity. Trump made this statement in comments to reporters, emphasizing the need to strengthen the fight against criminal groups, which he claims pose a threat to national security.

Trump's statement comes amid recent US military operations against vessels suspected of smuggling drugs from Venezuela through the Caribbean Sea. Earlier in September, the US conducted several strikes on such boats in international waters, resulting in the deaths of several people on board. Trump noted that after these actions, the volume of maritime shipments had decreased, but cartels continued to use land routes.

"We will take cartels arriving by land very seriously." " he said as he left the White House, adding that the administration was considering options for expanding military action, including operations on Venezuelan territory.

Experts believe that Trump has effectively announced strikes on Venezuela in the coming days.