The potential for military action in Venezuela is escalating, as American military planners have identified targets that could be attacked at a moment’s notice. According to a recent report from ABC citing unnamed sources, the target list includes critical infrastructure such as ports and airports utilized by drug cartels. This signals a strategic move by the Trump administration.
Senate Republicans were briefed on these plans earlier this week amid ongoing efforts to increase pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The briefings come alongside a significant military buildup in the region, featuring approximately 10,000 troops poised for action. The growing military readiness has sparked speculation that strikes could be imminent.
While President Trump has indicated he is not prepared to strike immediately, reports from the Miami Herald suggest that the Soles drug cartel is a primary focus. This cartel is reportedly responsible for the shipment of about 500 tons of cocaine annually to the United States and Europe. Destroying the cartel’s leadership is seen as a key objective of any planned military operation.
One source warns that Maduro may soon find himself trapped amid these developments. The source noted, “Maduro is about to find himself trapped and might soon discover that he cannot flee the country even if he decided to.” Furthermore, there are several Venezuelan generals willing to hand Maduro over, a prospect that takes on a darker connotation with the phrase, “one thing is to talk about death, and another to see it coming.”
Recent actions against fast boats transporting drugs have made traffickers more cautious, prompting the U.S. to shift its focus towards targeting threats on land. While the possibility of regime change in Venezuela remains, administration officials are emphasizing a preference for pinpoint operations. This approach echoes past strategies involving the assassination of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani and attacks on Iran’s nuclear sites.
In October, President Trump revealed that he had approved “covert operations” within Venezuela, indicating a new level of engagement in the region. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has emerged as a prominent voice in shaping the administration’s strategy toward Venezuela. He recently characterized the situation as a battle against a “narco-state” led by a cartel, declaring, “This is an operation against narco-terrorists, the al Qaeda of the Western Hemisphere… and they need to be dealt with.”
These developments reflect a complex and evolving situation in Venezuela, where the intersection of national security and drug trafficking continues to pose significant challenges. As the U.S. weighs its options, the consequences of military action remain a critical point of discussion among policymakers and military planners.
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