President Donald Trump denied on Friday that he was considering strikes inside Venezuela, conflicting with his earlier comments. He mentioned that while the U. S. military presence in the Caribbean has grown, the status of potential future strikes remains unclear. Trump’s recent remarks suggested that his administration would target drug-related operations in Venezuela, stating that “the land is going to be next. “
The U. S. military has been active, attacking at least 14 boats linked to drug trafficking and killing 61 people. Trump also confirmed authorizing the CIA for covert operations in Venezuela. Timing for any land strikes is uncertain, though discussions suggest they could happen soon. Senator Lindsey Graham mentioned that Trump plans to update lawmakers on military actions against Venezuela and Colombia following his trip to Asia.
A U. S. official noted the military has presented various options, including strikes on military facilities in Venezuela. Venezuelan authorities, particularly President Nicolas Maduro, have denied any links to drug trafficking, accusing the U. S. of trying to remove him from power. Meanwhile, divisions have emerged among Venezuelan opposition leaders regarding U. S. actions, and some Democratic lawmakers have expressed concerns about the legality of ongoing strikes against drug boats.
With information from Reuters