President Donald Trump has denied pursuing regime change in Venezuela, even as the U.S. expands its military presence near the country’s borders.
Trump addressed reporters on Friday, stating that the U.S. is “not talking about” removing President Nicolás Maduro, despite accusations that his administration aims to do so.
U.S. Military Build-Up and Anti-Cartel Operations
The Trump administration says the Caribbean deployment targets drug cartels smuggling narcotics into the United States. On Tuesday, the Pentagon carried out its first strike under the campaign, killing 11 people aboard a vessel it claimed was transporting drugs from Venezuela.
U.S. officials have accused Maduro of aiding cartels. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called him the “kingpin of a narco state,” warning that he “should be worried.” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described Maduro’s government as a “narco-terror cartel” and stressed that Trump will use “every element of American power” to halt drug inflows.
Pressure Beyond Military Action
Washington has intensified financial and diplomatic pressure on Maduro. In August, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced a $50 million reward for his capture and froze $700 million in assets allegedly tied to him. Trump also questioned the legitimacy of Maduro’s election win in January, calling it “very strange.”
In February, the U.S. designated Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua gang as a foreign terrorist organization. Trump claimed Maduro controlled the group, though the Venezuelan president denies such ties.
Escalating Tensions and Regional Risks
Since the campaign began, the U.S. has deployed eight warships, an attack submarine, surveillance aircraft, and thousands of troops near Venezuela. The White House confirmed the transfer of 10 F-35 fighter jets to Puerto Rico after Venezuelan jets flew close to a U.S. warship.
Trump warned that any threat to U.S. forces would be met with force: “If they put us in danger, they’ll be shot down.”
Meanwhile, Venezuela mobilized over four million militia members and accused Washington of seeking regime change through “military threats.” Still, Maduro expressed willingness to negotiate: “Venezuela is always ready for dialogue, but we demand respect.”
Trump’s Campaign Rhetoric and Legal Concerns
During his 2024 campaign, Trump vowed to destroy drug cartels with the same resolve used against ISIS. Legal experts, however, question the classification of cartels as terrorist groups and the use of military strikes against traffickers.
Defense Secretary Hegseth confirmed the U.S. intends to expand operations: “This mission won’t stop with one strike. Anyone trafficking in those waters who we identify as narco-terrorists will face the same fate.”
Source: TIME
