Trump ‘intensifies’ enthusiasm for Venezuela

Recent media reports have suggested that President Trump’s administration has pinpointed military targets in Venezuela and is gearing up for a possible attack. However, the White House has pushed back on these claims.

For weeks, Trump has hinted at the possibility of a ground operation against Venezuela. Still, the White House is questioning the legitimacy of the latest media narratives.

“The individuals providing information to the media aren’t reliable,” White House Press Secretary Anna Kelly stated to Fox News Digital. “Any updates regarding Venezuela will be made by the president himself.”

The Wall Street Journal mentioned that the administration has identified military targets linked to drug transport within Venezuela. Nevertheless, it also reported that Trump has yet to make a decisive call on whether to proceed with ground strikes.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has criticized the perceived military “threat” surrounding his country, while Trump appears to promote the U.S. military’s readiness.

Meanwhile, Trump confirmed to reporters aboard Air Force One that he hasn’t reached a conclusion about striking these military targets, according to information from Bloomberg News. In a related development, the Miami Herald noted that Cuba plans to conduct strikes on these military facilities shortly.

Both media outlets referenced anonymous sources familiar with the matter. The Herald indicated that these planned strikes are part of a broader initiative aimed at addressing the Cartel de los Soles, which, according to Attorney General Pam Bondi, is led by Maduro.

The Trump administration does not recognize Maduro’s authority and has raised the reward for information leading to his arrest to $50 million, branding him “one of the world’s largest drug traffickers.”

In more recent actions, U.S. military operations against suspected drug smuggling vessels in Latin America have escalated, totaling at least 14 incidents since early September. Trump has also directed the USS Gerald R. Ford to head to the area.

Brent Sadler, a naval warfare expert, remarked that the aircraft carrier’s presence indicates that Trump may have added resources to enhance operations against drug cartels. He noted that while the Ford’s deployment isn’t novel, it likely aims to manage the situation in Venezuela while also providing options for intensified actions against the cartels.

“The arrival of the Ford shows serious intent and readiness,” Sadler elaborated. He expects significant activity from the carrier’s air wing in terms of surveillance and defensive measures.

Amid all this, President Maduro has accused Trump of “manufacturing a new forever war,” pointing out the hypocrisy in promises that the U.S. wouldn’t engage in further military actions.

Moreover, not all lawmakers are on board with Trump’s strategies in this context. In October, a group including Sens. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and Tim Kaine (D-Va.) introduced a resolution aimed at prohibiting any military actions against Venezuela.

Schiff emphasized the administration’s clear intentions to continue military operations and attacks on vessels in the region.

The Department of the Army has yet to respond to inquiries from Fox News Digital.
This is a developing story and will be updated.