Senior officials in the Trump administration have held three meetings this week at the White House to discuss potential military actions in Venezuela amidst an increasing U. S. military presence in the Caribbean. President Trump has sent F-35 aircraft, warships, and a nuclear submarine to the region following deadly operations against boats off Venezuela. The Gerald Ford aircraft carrier strike group has also arrived, bringing over 75 military aircraft and more than 5,000 troops.
Trump indicated a decision on military action could be made soon, influenced by allegations that Venezuela is involved in the illegal drug trade. He mentioned, “I can’t tell you what it would be but I sort of made up my mind” about Venezuela. The homeland security council meetings included discussions with key officials, including Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Trump attended the Thursday meeting where various options were presented, though it remains unclear what those options entail. Trump has previously suggested land attacks but has claimed he is not pursuing regime change in Venezuela, despite accusations from Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro that Trump seeks to remove him from power.
The U. S. has offered a $50 million reward for information leading to Maduro’s arrest for drug trafficking ties. U. S. military operations in the area have targeted drug vessels, resulting in strikes that killed 80 people. The legality of these strikes has faced scrutiny from Democratic lawmakers and legal experts, with some European allies expressing criticism as well. Meanwhile, Venezuela is reportedly preparing for resistance efforts against a potential U. S. attack. A recent poll shows that only 35% of U. S. voters support military force in Venezuela to tackle drug issues. Tensions with Colombia have also escalated, with Trump and Colombian President Gustavo Petro exchanging harsh words.
With information from Reuters
