The BareStory
Senior military officials on Wednesday presented President Donald Trump with updated military options for potential operations in Venezuela, including possible strikes on land, according to multiple sources familiar with the meetings. The sources stated that no final decision has been made. The briefing reportedly included Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine.
The meeting follows an increase in U.S. military activity in the Caribbean. The USS Gerald Ford carrier strike group recently entered the U.S. Southern Command's area of responsibility. This deployment is part of what the Trump administration calls an anti-drug offensive that began in September. As part of this campaign, the U.S. military has conducted strikes against at least 21 vessels in international waters, killing at least 80 people. The administration has alleged the targeted vessels were involved in drug trafficking.
According to Defense Secretary Hegseth, the strikes have targeted "narco-terrorists." At a summit on Wednesday, Hegseth stated that if an individual is identified as a foreign terrorist or trafficker, the U.S. will "find you and kill you." President Trump has accused Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro of complicity with drug smuggling gangs, an accusation Maduro has rejected. In a recent interview, Trump said he believed Maduro's "days were numbered."
The U.S. actions have prompted international reaction. The U.N. human rights chief, Volker Türk, has called for an investigation into the legality of the strikes, warning of "strong indications" of "extrajudicial killings." Colombia's President Gustavo Petro announced his country would halt intelligence sharing with the U.S. as long as the attacks continue. In response to regional tensions, Venezuela announced it was launching a large military exercise.
How it may affect me
As a U.S. reader:
• The consideration of military strikes on Venezuela could lead to the deployment of U.S. troops, potentially resulting in a new conflict involving American service members.
• Increased U.S. military activity in the Caribbean implies a significant taxpayer expense, which would grow substantially if further military operations in Venezuela are approved.
• The suspension of intelligence sharing by Colombia may affect the effectiveness of joint U.S. counter-narcotics and security operations in the region.
• International scrutiny over the legality of U.S. strikes could impact America's diplomatic standing and influence future foreign policy decisions.
