Trump hints at Venezuela plan as US pushes Latin America deployment
Trump hints at Venezuela plan as US pushes Latin America deployment
As U.S. warships and jets close in on the Caribbean, Trump signals a possible course of action in Venezuela, stirring regional anxiety and questions about regime change.
President Donald Trump said on Friday he "sort of" made up his mind about Venezuela as Washington escalates its military presence in Latin America. He spoke en route to his Florida estate, noting progress against drug trafficking and hinting at a planned course of action. The United States has dispatched warships, fighter jets and thousands of troops to the region, and strikes on 21 alleged drug-smuggling boats have killed at least 80 people. The USS Gerald R. Ford arrived in the Caribbean as part of the effort, while F-35 fighters were sent to Puerto Rico.
Venezuela's leadership in Caracas fears the deployment is a disguised regime-change plot. Maduro's government argues the moves threaten stability, even as Colombia's first leftist president, Gustavo Petro, claims the objective is to seize Venezuela's oil wealth and destabilize the region.
In Washington, CBS News reported that senior military officials had presented updated options for possible operations, including strikes on land, while President Trump has downplayed a full-scale war but kept the days of Maduro's grip numbered. The deployment is drawing mixed reactions across Latin America, where some leaders seek to leverage the pressure while others warn against renewed intervention.
Colombia inked a $4.3 billion deal to buy Swedish warplanes, underscoring a regional arms push as tensions rise. Caracas has also declared its own full-military readiness in response to the increased naval presence off its coast.
Cover image source: Trump Escalates Pressure on Venezuela, but Endgame Is Unclear 🔗
