President Donald Trump has indicated that he has ‘sort of’ made a decision regarding the U.S. approach to Venezuela, though he remains tight-lipped about the specifics. Speaking to CBS News aboard Air Force One, Trump revealed that his administration is actively considering various military options. These include land-based strikes and other operations targeting Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who is accused by the U.S. of supporting armed criminal gangs involved in drug trafficking.
Over the past two months, U.S. forces have conducted strikes on at least 21 vessels, resulting in the deaths of over 80 suspected traffickers. Despite these actions, several Western European governments have expressed skepticism, stating they have yet to see concrete evidence directly linking Maduro to cartel operations.
The situation has further intensified with the deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford, the U.S. Navy’s most advanced aircraft carrier, to the Caribbean. This move is part of a broader military buildup in the region, which now includes destroyers, warplanes, and special operations units. According to CNN, the U.S. military presence in the area has surpassed 15,000 personnel.
In response to the growing U.S. military footprint, Maduro has ordered a nationwide military mobilization. This escalation underscores the heightened tensions between the two nations and raises concerns about the potential for further conflict.