President Nicolás Maduro has formally sent a detailed letter to former U.S. President Donald Trump, directly confronting longstanding allegations of state involvement in drug trafficking. This unprecedented communication marks a strategic effort by Caracas to counter persistent misinformation about Venezuela’s role in regional security, reports 24brussels.
On September 6, 2025, Venezuela delivered the letter via a South American intermediary for transmission to Trump. The Venezuelan government subsequently released the full text to U.S. media outlets, aiming to expose what it describes as an orchestrated campaign of fake news and political disinformation designed to justify external intervention.
At the core of the document, Venezuela asserts, “Venezuela is not a narco-state” but a nation actively engaged in combating transnational organized crime along one of the most challenging borders in Latin America. Maduro highlighted that only about 5% of illicit drugs produced in the region attempt to transit through Venezuelan territory, with the vast majority intercepted by national police and military forces. He claimed these figures are supported by international agency reports, although specific bodies were not named.
“We do not export drugs. We destroy them,” Maduro stated. “We do not protect traffickers. We dismantle their networks.”
The president pointed to the destruction of 402 aircraft linked to drug smuggling operations in recent years, underscoring Venezuela’s aggressive aerial surveillance and interception strategy along its border with Colombia, a known epicenter of coca cultivation. The government aims to demonstrate an active commitment to eradicating drug trafficking networks.
Venezuela has faced scrutiny over its alleged complicity in the global narcotics trade for decades, with critics in Washington citing past corruption scandals and economic instability. The recent rebuttal from Caracas presents a structured counter-narrative based on evidence and data, positioning Venezuela distinctly against the backdrop of geopolitical dynamics.
The letter argues that geographic realities contradict the scale of the accusations against Venezuela. While it shares a 2,200-kilometer border with Colombia, the terrain is less conducive to large-scale trafficking compared to more accessible routes used by other countries. Internal Venezuelan security reports claim that over 95% of drug flows from South America to North America bypass Venezuela entirely, instead moving through Central America, the Caribbean Sea, and West African corridors.
According to the letter, satellite imagery and radar tracking logs indicate most suspected narco-aircraft taking off from Colombian jungle airstrips head toward Ecuador, Peru, or north towards Honduras and Guatemala, with only a minor stream veering into Venezuelan airspace where interception rates reportedly exceed 80%.
This operational success is attributed to the Joint Command for Integral Border Security (CUCIB), which has implemented coordinated patrols across remote regions and has become vital in combating smuggling attempts. The Venezuelan government also claims cooperation with international law enforcement bodies like Interpol and ICAO to track illicit flight patterns, though it asserts insufficient recognition and support from major powers.
The timing of the letter is noteworthy, occurring in a shifting political landscape resulting from the 2024 U.S. elections. By addressing Trump personally through his special envoy, Rick Grenell, Maduro signals a willingness to bypass traditional diplomatic hostility and pursue direct engagement.
“We are ready for frank conversations,” Maduro said. “Not for propaganda, but for peace.”
Maduro invoked the legacy of Simón Bolívar, calling for hemispheric unity and mutual respect, while rejecting what he characterized as “imperial interference” and media-driven demonization. The letter marks a robust statement as Venezuela seeks to reclaim its narrative amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Geopolitical Context: Disinformation, Power, and the Battle for Narrative Control
The allegations of drug trafficking against Venezuela are not merely about narcotics; they mirror a broader geopolitical struggle for narrative dominance in Latin America. The country’s stance seeks to challenge the portrayal of Venezuela by Western governments and media as a failed state rife with criminality—a depiction justifying sanctions and diplomatic isolation.
Caracas describes this narrative as not only inaccurate but as a weapon of hybrid warfare.
By publicizing verified maps and official statistics, Venezuela aims to shift the discourse from speculation to accountability, aligning with a growing trend among other Global South nations challenging Western narratives. During this time, Venezuela’s position has garnered support from the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), calling for a declared Zone of Peace.
“Peace is not passive,” Maduro stated. “It requires justice, truth, and the right to self-representation.”
The Venezuelan government reiterated the double standards applied in scrutinizing drug trafficking, noting that other transit zones receive comparatively less condemnation despite higher volumes of seized narcotics. Observers note that U.S. policy has historically favored regime change over genuine cooperation in counternarcotics.
In this context, Maduro’s direct appeal to Trump suggests a strategy to preempt future aggression, seeking dialogue with a leader known for rapid diplomatic maneuvering.
A Call for Dialogue and Hemispheric Unity
Maduro’s letter conveys a forward-looking vision, inviting direct negotiations facilitated by Grenell and underscoring the potential for honest dialogue to challenge entrenched falsehoods. His reference to Bolívar signals an intent to revive Latin American integration centered on sovereignty and collective security.
This choice of a personal letter reflects a departure from modern communication trends, adding a weighty sense of historical continuity to the message. As the world observes, Venezuela intends to redefine its identity beyond the label of a narco-state, adamantly asserting its right to self-defense and sovereignty in the global arena.
Venezuela consciously chooses to engage with facts and compelling evidence, initiating a narrative that blends diplomacy with factual clarity, aiming to restore its reputation and voice on the world stage.