Trump Weighs Military Action in Venezuela Amid Caribbean Buildup

WASHINGTON – The Trump administration is actively considering possible military operations in Venezuela, with senior officials holding multiple high-level meetings at the White House this week to evaluate options, sources confirmed on Friday.

President Donald Trump has ramped up U.S. military presence in the Caribbean, deploying F-35 aircraft, warships, and a nuclear submarine as part of a strategic buildup following two months of deadly strikes against suspected drug vessels in the region.

Earlier this week, the USS Gerald Ford aircraft carrier strike group entered the Latin American theater, bringing with it more than 75 military aircraft and over 5,000 troops. The movement signals heightened readiness for potential operations targeting Venezuela.

Trump suggested on Friday that a decision regarding action against Venezuela could be imminent. “I can’t tell you what it would be but I sort of made up my mind,” he told reporters aboard Air Force One.

According to multiple U.S. officials and sources familiar with the matter, Homeland Security Council meetings were held this week to review potential courses of action. A smaller session occurred on Wednesday, followed by a larger meeting on Thursday that included Vice President JD Vance, Homeland Security Adviser Stephen Miller, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine. President Trump attended the Thursday briefing in the Situation Room and was presented with several options, though details were not publicly disclosed.

While Trump has floated the possibility of land operations inside Venezuela, he has consistently maintained that regime change is not his objective. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, in power since 2013, has accused Trump of attempting to remove him by force.

In August, Washington doubled the reward for information leading to Maduro’s arrest to $50 million, citing alleged links to drug trafficking and criminal networks. U.S. military strikes in the Caribbean and Pacific have already killed at least 80 people across more than 20 operations targeting suspected drug vessels. These strikes have drawn criticism from some Democratic lawmakers, legal experts, and European allies over questions of legality.

Investigations indicate the U.S. is upgrading a former Cold War-era naval base in the Caribbean, a move suggesting preparations for sustained military operations potentially extending into Venezuela. Meanwhile, Venezuelan forces are reportedly preparing to resist through guerrilla tactics and potential sabotage, relying on decades-old Russian-made weaponry.

The prospect of military intervention remains unpopular among American voters. A Reuters/Ipsos poll released Friday found that only 35% of U.S. respondents support using military force in Venezuela without the consent of the Venezuelan government, even to reduce the flow of illegal drugs.

Regional tensions have escalated further with Colombia, as Trump and Colombian President Gustavo Petro have exchanged sharp criticisms. Trump labeled Petro an “illegal drug leader” and imposed sanctions, while Petro accused the U.S. of committing acts of murder with its military strikes.

As the White House weighs potential operations, analysts warn that any military engagement in Venezuela could have significant geopolitical and humanitarian implications, potentially destabilizing the region and drawing international scrutiny.

The coming days are expected to provide more clarity on the Trump administration’s next steps, with both the U.S. and neighboring countries on high alert.