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Reports have emerged that top Pentagon officials have formally presented military options to President Trump regarding potential operations against Venezuela, including land strikes. These options are reportedly intended for the “coming days”.
Meetings are currently taking place at the White House following the arrival of the USS Gerald Ford carrier strike group in Caribbean waters. This marks the largest ‘peacetime’ military buildup by the U.S. near Venezuela, with approximately 15,000 U.S. troops deployed in the region.
According to CBS, “Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine, and other senior officials briefed the president on military options for the coming days, the sources said.” However, it is emphasized that “no final decision has been made”, according to two sources.
This development coincides with reports of yet another alleged drug boat strike in the Caribbean Sea, bringing the total number of destroyed vessels to at least 22, resulting in the deaths of around 80 suspected drug smugglers.
CBS further reports that the U.S. intelligence community has provided information for potential operations. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard was absent from the White House discussions due to an overseas trip, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio was attending a G7 summit in Canada.
The Washington-based Center for Strategic & International Studies has previously outlined the significance of deploying an entire carrier group in the Caribbean, describing it as a “use it or lose it” scenario that incurs high costs and affects global military presence:
Relocating such a major element of U.S. combat power is highly significant due to the strategic trade-off it represents. The Navy has only 11 aircraft carriers, with generally only three at sea at any given time due to maintenance and training needs. All regional commanders desire them. U.S. Indo-Pacific Command always wants one to support the carrier stationed in Japan to counter the Chinese navy and conduct exercises with regional allies.
Central Command seeks one for the Indian Ocean to address threats from Iran and the Houthis or in the Eastern Mediterranean for air defense support for Israel. European Command requests one for operations around Europe to deter Russia. In contrast, the Caribbean has been a low-visibility area for decades, with carriers seldom visiting.
These developments suggest a potential shift beyond a renewed ‘war on drugs’, as Trump has indicated that land strikes against cartels in Venezuela are under consideration.
María Corina Machado, the U.S.-backed Venezuelan opposition leader who has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, has pledged to initiate a “massive privatization” of Venezuela’s assets if Trump supports her rise to power. She has vowed to sell $1.7 trillion worth of Venezuela’s oil, gas, gold, and infrastructure to U.S. corporations.
At various points in recent months, Trump officials have hinted at pursuing regime change against Nicolás Maduro, aligning with the approach taken during Trump’s first term.
