President Trump announced on Friday that he has “sort of” made decisions regarding U.S. actions in Venezuela. This comes as top officials assess possible military operations in the region.
During a conversation aboard Air Force One, Trump mentioned, “I sort of have made up my mind” about the administration’s next steps, although he did not disclose any specifics.
Military Discussions at the White House
High-ranking officials from the Trump administration convened at the White House for the third consecutive day on Friday to deliberate over potential military operations in Venezuela. Participants in these discussions included Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Dan Caine, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
The situation in Venezuela was part of the president’s daily intelligence briefing earlier in the week. Reports indicate that military officials, including Hegseth and Caine, provided Trump with potential options for future operations, which may involve strikes on Venezuelan land.
U.S. Military Operations and International Response
As of now, the U.S. has not communicated its intentions concerning Venezuela to allied countries, according to sources from two Western allies. U.S. officials have claimed that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is linked to armed criminal gangs smuggling drugs into the country, although Maduro has denied these allegations. In recent months, the U.S. military has reportedly conducted strikes against multiple vessels accused of trafficking drugs, resulting in significant casualties.
However, some European nations with interests in Latin America have expressed skepticism regarding the U.S. claims, noting a lack of direct evidence tying Maduro to criminal organizations. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot recently criticized U.S. military operations in the Caribbean as violations of international law.
This week, the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group entered the operational area of U.S. Southern Command, which is responsible for military operations in the Caribbean and South America. The carrier is joining a fleet that already includes destroyers, warplanes, and special operations units in the region.
