Venezuela’s Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino said the country’s armed forces have scored major successes against drug trafficking, claiming the air force shot down eight unidentified aircraft that entered Venezuelan airspace near the Brazilian border. He said the actions disprove allegations linking Caracas to international criminal gangs. The remarks come as the Trump administration intensifies military operations against drug cartels in the Caribbean, accusing President Nicolás Maduro of narcoterrorism. Venezuela insists the U.S. military buildup is aimed at regime change, while Washington says dozens of strikes have already been carried out to curb narcotics flows.