"We will never legalize": Maduro rejects cannabis in Venezuela and criticizes the U.S.

In a press conference with international media on September 15, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro categorically rejected any possibility of reforming cannabis laws in his country.

“In Venezuela, [marijuana] remains illegal and will continue to be. We will not fall into the insane trend of legalizing any drug,” he said, according to the portal La Patilla. The Venezuelan government thus takes an uncompromising stance, rejecting comparisons with other nations that have opted for legalization.

Aerial incident and trafficking accusations

The Venezuelan leader's statements were, in part, a response to news linking his country to drug trafficking, following an operation by the Brazilian Air Force on September 10. A Beechcraft 58 Baron plane, coming from Venezuela, was intercepted after entering Brazilian airspace without authorization.

When the pilot ignored the instructions from A-29 Super Tucano fighters, a chase ensued over the Amazon rainforest. The aircraft crashed near a dam in the municipality of Presidente Figueiredo (AM), and authorities claimed to have seized 380 kilograms of cannabis. The pilot managed to escape.

Maduro blames the United States

Despite the incident, Maduro denied that Venezuela is involved in the production or export of cannabis. He took the opportunity to divert attention to the United States, accusing Washington of hypocrisy.

“If you want to find cannabis, look for it in the United States, which produces 'synthetic superweed' and where production and consumption are legal. How can you point fingers at Venezuela? You have no moral ground,” he declared.

Maduro also criticized U.S. legalization policies and the rise of synthetic substances like fentanyl. “Synthetic drugs are more destructive and deadly than any other known drug. Like fentanyl: you can't even blame Venezuela for a single fentanyl pill,” he lamented.

Military escalation in the Caribbean

The controversy surrounding the intercepted plane coincides with an escalation of U.S. operations in the Caribbean. Washington has sent F-35 fighters, warships, nuclear submarines, and about 4,000 Marines to Puerto Rico and the southern Caribbean as part of its drug trafficking combat strategy.

In recent weeks, U.S. forces have conducted direct attacks against ships suspected of links to Venezuelan groups. On September 2, the sinking of a ship accused of transporting narcotics for the criminal organization Tren de Aragua was announced, an action that left 11 dead. Days later, another operation reportedly resulted in three more deaths.

With information from NewsWeed