Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro reported on Friday on the progress made in the fight against drug trafficking in the region, emphasizing that “Venezuela has a perfect model for combating drug trafficking.”

The president announced the destruction of the 40th foreign aircraft used by Colombian drug traffickers, as well as the neutralization of the last operational leader of the “Tren del Llano” criminal group in Guárico state, along with four of his accomplices, in an operation carried out in the Venezuelan plains.

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Padrino López Highlights Venezuela’s Effective Model in Combating Drug Trafficking

The Venezuelan leader reiterated that “all the cocaine circulating in this region is produced in Colombia” and stressed that Venezuela is a victim of transnational drug trafficking. According to official figures, 430 aircraft linked to drug trafficking—both foreign and Colombian—have been shot down since the implementation of comprehensive security policies. He also confirmed that the national defense system, which combines popular, military, and police forces, guarantees territorial integrity, peace in the country, and the use and enjoyment of all territories.

The Minister of Defense of #Venezuela, Vladimir Padrino Lopez, addressed the Bolivarian Armed Forces of Venezuela, stating that 2025 was a year of many challenges, but also of great victories, particularly from the #fanb, which dealt heavy blows against drug trafficking by air,… pic.twitter.com/bno4SS2AN1

— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) December 31, 2025

For his part, Defense Minister General-in-Chief Vladimir Padrino López endorsed the president’s statements and described the national strategy as a “successful combat model.” “We offer this successful model of popular-military-police unity to U.S. imperialism so that it can combat drug trafficking effectively and truly,” he stated.

Since the enactment in 2012 of the Law for the Comprehensive Defense of Venezuelan Airspace, 430 drug trafficking aircraft have been disabled, the minister specified. In addition, 156 camps belonging to Colombian drug trafficking groups have been destroyed along the border. The Vice President for Political Sovereignty, Security, and Peace emphasized that Venezuela “is not a key player in drug trafficking,” noting that only 4 or 5% of the traffic attempts to cross national territory. “Any aircraft linked to drug trafficking will be met with a response from the Armed Forces,” he reiterated

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