The Trump administration could strike Venezuela “at any moment,” according to multiple reports and official statements, as tensions escalate amid allegations that Venezuelan military facilities are linked to drug trafficking networks.
U.S. Military Identifies Strike Targets
U.S. officials have reportedly selected land-based targets in Venezuela, including ports and airstrips suspected of facilitating the movement of narcotics under the protection of President Nicolás Maduro’s regime. Recent disclosures suggest that after weeks of U.S. Navy and Air Force campaigns against suspected drug-running vessels in international waters, military planners are now considering direct action within Venezuela’s borders. Strikes by bombers—including B-1B flights near Venezuelan territory—signal a significant escalation in the U.S. effort to disrupt what the administration calls “narco-terrorism”.
Escalating Pressure on Maduro
The campaign follows a formal declaration by President Trump to Congress in October that the U.S. is engaged in a “non-international armed conflict” with criminal cartels in the Caribbean, setting the stage for expanded legal justification for military action. While the administration has expressed frustration with Venezuela’s release of prisoners—who reportedly crossed into the U.S. via the southern border—it also cites the flow of drugs as a primary reason for considering strikes on Venezuelan soil. Trump has repeatedly denied that regime change is a direct goal, but the pressure campaign and covert authorization for CIA action have led many analysts to suggest that ousting Maduro remains a possible objective.
Global Reaction and Risks
International response has been mixed. The United Nations Security Council, along with countries like China and Russia, have voiced concern over potential escalation and called for urgent de-escalation and respect for international law. Venezuelan officials accuse the U.S. of seeking to destabilize its government under the guise of anti-drug operations, a claim U.S. officials reject.
What Comes Next
While U.S. officials caution that no final decision has been made, sources suggest that strikes could occur “at any moment,” underscoring the unpredictable nature of the current standoff. The situation remains fluid, with the world closely watching for signs of direct U.S. military intervention inside Venezuela’s borders.