President Donald Trump has not ruled out military action against Venezuela, even as he hinted at possible diplomatic discussions with Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. During a press briefing at the White House, Trump reiterated his willingness to engage in talks with Maduro but emphasized that military intervention remains a viable option. ‘I’m not ruling anything out,’ Trump stated, addressing reporters in the Oval Office. He accused Maduro of causing significant harm to the United States through drug trafficking and migration from Venezuela. ‘He has not been good for the United States, so we’ll see what happens,’ Trump added. The remarks have heightened uncertainty about the Trump administration’s next steps toward Maduro’s regime, which the U.S. has recently accused of leading a criminal organization. The arrival of the USS Gerald R. Ford and accompanying warships in the Caribbean over the weekend, coupled with U.S. military strikes on suspected drug vessels, has been framed as part of an anti-drug operation. However, analysts and Venezuelan opposition figures view these actions as increasing pressure on Maduro. Geoff Ramsey, an expert at the Atlantic Council, noted that the Trump administration could swiftly shift its approach, drawing parallels to diplomatic talks with Iran preceding military strikes on its nuclear facilities in June. Meanwhile, Maduro has yet to respond to Trump’s comments, and Venezuelan citizens expressed a mix of skepticism and hope regarding potential dialogue. ‘If the dialogue happens, I hope the government keeps its word this time,’ said Gustavo García, a 38-year-old shopkeeper in Caracas. ‘We need to be serious. They’re used to talking but not keeping agreements. You can’t mess around with Trump.’