🎧 Audio
📖 Script
Recently, former U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to target drug shipments coming from Venezuela. These operations are part of a larger military effort in the southern Caribbean region. The aim is to increase pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The U.S. government believes that by cutting off these drug shipments, they can weaken the economic support that the Maduro administration receives from illegal activities. The focus is on land operations that will stop drugs from reaching the United States and other destinations.
The Venezuelan government, led by Nicolás Maduro, has been under scrutiny for years due to allegations of corruption and human rights abuses. The U.S. and several other countries do not recognize Maduro as the legitimate president, instead supporting opposition leader Juan Guaidó. This political conflict has led to a severe economic crisis in Venezuela, with many people lacking basic necessities like food and medicine.
The U.S. military build-up in the Caribbean is a significant move, showcasing the seriousness of the Trump administration’s commitment to addressing these issues. This strategy involves a combination of naval and aerial surveillance to track and intercept drug shipments. These efforts are seen as a direct challenge to Maduro’s government, which relies heavily on drug trade profits to sustain its regime.
While the U.S. and its allies view these actions as necessary, critics argue that military intervention could lead to further instability in the region. They worry about the potential for conflict and the impact it may have on the Venezuelan population, who are already suffering from the country’s economic collapse.
In conclusion, the U.S. plans to target Venezuelan drug shipments is a strategic move aimed at reducing Maduro’s power. However, the implications of such actions are complex, with potential consequences for both Venezuela and the wider region.
📝 Vocabulary
- shipment: a load of goods sent together
例文: “The shipment of goods will arrive by the end of the week.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- drug shipment
- large shipment
- delayed shipment
出荷 - pressure: the use of persuasion or force to influence behavior
例文: “The company is under pressure to reduce costs.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- political pressure
- economic pressure
- peer pressure
圧力 - military: relating to the armed forces
例文: “He chose a career in the military.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- military force
- military base
- military operation
軍事 - intercept: to stop something from reaching its destination
例文: “The police managed to intercept the illegal goods.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- intercept a message
- intercept a shipment
- intercept a call
妨害する - surveillance: close observation, especially of a suspected person
例文: “The area is under constant surveillance.”
Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
- video surveillance
- electronic surveillance
- 24-hour surveillance
監視
✏️ Grammar Point
Relative Clause – “The Venezuelan government, led by Nicolás Maduro, has been under scrutiny for years…”
文法の日本語補足を見る
💡 使用場面
関係節は、名詞を修飾するために使われ、情報を追加する際に便利です。
例: In a business meeting, you might say: “The report, which was completed last week, shows promising results.”
❓ Listening Questions
- True/False: The U.S. plans to target drug shipments from Venezuela with military operations.
- MCQ: What is the main reason for the U.S. military build-up in the Caribbean?
a) To support Nicolás Maduro
b) To intercept drug shipments
c) To provide humanitarian aid
d) To increase trade with Venezuela - MCQ: Which leader does the U.S. support as the legitimate president of Venezuela?
a) Nicolás Maduro
b) Donald Trump
c) Juan Guaidó
d) Hugo Chávez
🔑 Listening Answersを見る
- True
- b) To intercept drug shipments
- c) Juan Guaidó
📚 Reading Questions
- What is the U.S. hoping to achieve by targeting drug shipments from Venezuela?
- Why might critics be concerned about the U.S. military intervention in Venezuela?
- What does the word “intercept” mean in this context?
🔑 Reading Answersを見る
- The U.S. aims to weaken the economic support of the Maduro administration by cutting off drug shipments.
- Critics are concerned about potential conflict and further instability in the region.
- To stop something from reaching its destination.
🇯🇵 日本語での経済ニュース解説
アメリカは、ベネズエラからの薬物輸送を阻止するため、軍事力を南カリブ海に展開する計画を発表しました。これは、ベネズエラの指導者マドゥロ政権への圧力を強めるための戦略です。アメリカは、違法活動からの経済支援を断つことで、マドゥロ政権を弱体化させることを目指しています。この動きは、地域の不安定化につながる可能性があるとの批判もあり、今後の展開が注目されます。
Source: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12-12/us-ready-to-seize-ships-venezuelan-oil-tankers/106134498
