The United States is preparing to initiate targeted airstrikes against Venezuelan military sites, which American officials allege are used by Nicolás Maduro's regime for drug trafficking activities.
This move, revealed by The Wall Street Journal, would signify a new chapter in President Donald Trump's strategy to apply pressure on Caracas, which Washington accuses of heading a transnational criminal network known as the Cartel of the Suns.
Pentagon Pinpoints Targets
According to sources, the Pentagon has already identified a series of military targets within Venezuela. These include clandestine airstrips, fuel depots, logistical hubs, and bases allegedly linked to drug smuggling operations.
Should these attacks proceed, the intention is reportedly to "deliver an unmistakable message" to the Venezuelan dictator: his time in power "is running out."
Potential Aerial Offensive
While an actual ground invasion hasn't been confirmed, the preparations indicate a precision air offensive focused on facilities where regime and associated cartel operations intersect.
A senior U.S. official, quoted by the Nuevo Herald, suggested that Maduro "could find himself trapped in his own country" if the operation unfolds. "More than one general is ready to hand him over," the source claimed.
Unprecedented Military Build-up in the Caribbean
The scale of American deployment is not typical. Since August, the U.S. has maintained a Joint Task Force in the southern Caribbean Sea, equipped with destroyers, F-35B fighter jets, and MQ-9 Reaper drones based in Puerto Rico.
On October 24, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier, along with its strike group—comprising over 4,000 personnel and 90 combat aircraft—to the Caribbean. Analysts describe this as the largest U.S. military concentration near Venezuela in decades.
So far, operations have been limited to maritime interdictions. In recent weeks, the U.S. fleet has destroyed fast boats suspected of carrying cocaine, resulting in 61 alleged drug traffickers killed.
Washington Targets Maduro's Circle
The Trump administration directly accuses Nicolás Maduro and top civilian and military officials of leading the Cartel of the Suns, responsible—according to U.S. estimates—for exporting up to 500 tons of cocaine annually to Europe and the United States.
Washington has doubled the reward for information leading to Maduro's capture to $50 million, the highest bounty ever offered for a sitting head of state. Additionally, it offers $25 million for several of his key collaborators, including Diosdado Cabello and Vladimir Padrino López, both accused of drug trafficking.
Attorney General Pam Bondi recently labeled Maduro as "one of the world's biggest drug traffickers" and "a direct threat to U.S. national security."
Precision Operation, Not Invasion
Despite the heightened U.S. military presence raising regional alarms, military analysts deem a large-scale invasion unlikely.
Retired Colonel Mark F. Cancian from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) noted that the current force "is not enough to occupy Venezuela," but it is sufficient "to launch precision strikes or cruise missiles against strategic targets."
Meanwhile, Elliott Abrams, the former U.S. Special Envoy for Venezuela, told columnist Andrés Oppenheimer that Trump "does not seek a prolonged war," but rather swift and decisive actions, akin to the 2020 strike against Iranian General Qasem Soleimani.
Escalating Confrontation
This military escalation occurs amid tougher economic sanctions and the designation of several Latin American criminal groups—including the Tren de Aragua—as terrorist and transnational criminal organizations.
With the Caribbean now a stage for a show of force, Washington appears committed to taking its pressure against the Chavista regime to the military sphere, following years of sanctions, diplomatic isolation, and failed negotiation attempts.
If these strikes are executed, the United States would once again engage in a direct military operation in the Western Hemisphere, something not seen since the 1989 invasion of Panama.
Analysts warn that the big question is not whether Trump will order the strikes, but when, and what the political and regional consequences will be.
Key Questions About U.S. Military Actions in Venezuela
What are the United States' main targets in Venezuela?
The U.S. has identified military targets such as clandestine airstrips, fuel depots, logistical hubs, and bases allegedly involved in drug smuggling operations.
Why is the U.S. increasing military presence in the Caribbean?
The U.S. is strengthening its military presence in the Caribbean as part of a strategy to apply pressure on the Maduro regime, accused of engaging in drug trafficking and leading a transnational criminal network.
What is the likelihood of a U.S. ground invasion in Venezuela?
While a ground invasion is considered unlikely, the U.S. is prepared for precision airstrikes targeting strategic sites linked to the Maduro regime.