Hegseth avoids discussing Venezuela military strikes during government shutdown

Military Actions and Political Dynamics Surrounding Venezuela

Army Secretary Pete Hegseth avoided confirming whether the U.S. has plans for a military strike in Venezuela, attributing the current government shutdown, which has led to delays in military funding, to Democratic actions.

Recently, the U.S. military executed over a dozen airstrikes on vessels believed to be linked to drug trafficking in international waters near Venezuela, resulting in numerous fatalities among suspected narco-terrorists. This operation coincided with the deployment of the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford and its strike group to the U.S. Southern Command area. Such escalations have fueled speculation about potential U.S. efforts to remove Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro from power.

During a meeting in Kuala Lumpur with ASEAN defense ministers, Hegseth responded to a question about a possible U.S. attack on Venezuela with cautious ambiguity, stating, “I appreciate the questions, but of course I’m not going to share any operational details in any way as to what will or won’t happen.”

In related discussions, President Trump declared that he was not considering an offensive against Venezuela, and both Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the White House dismissed anonymous reports suggesting such plans were underway.

Hegseth faced inquiries regarding an anonymous $130 million donation intended to support the military during the shutdown, reportedly made by Timothy Mellon, a billionaire who has financially backed Trump. He expressed gratitude for contributions from patriotic Americans, emphasizing their role in ensuring military personnel are compensated despite the shutdown.

He also criticized Democrats for their lack of votes to reopen the government, stating, “Democrats are not contributing to that,” in reference to military pay issues.

Turning to the broader geopolitical context, Hegseth asserted that President Trump has made significant strides in military and defense matters, highlighting the ongoing challenges related to funding due to the government shutdown that began on October 1. This shutdown arose after a temporary funding bill narrowly passed in September, failing to secure a lasting agreement.

Mellon, grandson of a former Treasury Secretary, has previously made sizable donations to Trump-supporting initiatives, bolstering speculation about his influence.

Additionally, Hegseth responded to questions about a proposed American “show of force” in the South China Sea, noting that those reports do not align with current military operations. “We are always preparing for contingencies…but ultimately we’re not going to say exactly what you can and can’t do,” he added.