U.S. weighs military action as Venezuela tensions rise

Senior U.S. officials held a series of high-level meetings at the White House to discuss potential military operations in Venezuela, officials said on November 14, reports Reuters. The deliberations came amid a growing U.S. military presence in the Caribbean, where the Trump administration has deployed advanced aircraft and naval assets.

The buildup follows two months of deadly U.S. strikes on boats off the Venezuelan coast. By early 2025, the Gerald Ford aircraft carrier strike group had moved into the Latin America region, bringing more than 75 aircraft and over 5,000 personnel. F-35 fighter jets and additional warships were also positioned nearby.

In response to the intensified U.S. military presence in the Caribbean, Caracas has announced a “large-scale mobilisation” of its armed forces.

Trump indicated on November 14 that he expected to make a decision soon regarding potential action against Venezuela, which he has accused of maintaining connections to illegal drug trafficking networks. He told reporters on Air Force One that “I can’t tell you what it would be but I sort of made up my mind”.

Four U.S. officials and a source familiar with the discussions said the homeland security council convened three times, with one meeting confirmed to have occurred on November 14.

One official reported that a smaller session took place on November 12, followed by a larger gathering on November 13 attended by Vice President JD Vance, homeland security adviser Stephen Miller, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine.

Trump reportedly joined the larger meeting in the Situation Room on the 14th, where he was briefed on various options. It remains unclear what specific proposals were presented.

The administration has insisted that it is not seeking regime change in Venezuela. President Nicolas Maduro, in power since 2013, has argued that Washington is actively attempting to remove him. In August 2025, the United States doubled its reward for information leading to Maduro’s arrest to $50 million, alleging his involvement in drug trafficking and criminal activity.

U.S. operations so far have focused on attacks against what is the Trump administration has designated as “narco-terrorists”, who are suspected, not proven, to be smuggling drugs. The administration has insisted that it is not seeking regime change in Venezuela, however the U.S.’s military buildup and aggressive rhetoric suggests otherwise.

At least 20 strikes have been carried out in the Caribbean and Pacific, resulting in 80 deaths. The legality of the operations has been challenged by UN human rights officials who have deemed the deaths to be “extrajudicial killings”.

A Reuters visual investigation found evidence that the U.S. military is upgrading a former Cold War base in the Caribbean, signaling preparations for prolonged regional activity.

Venezuela is reportedly preparing resistance efforts, including potential guerrilla-style tactics and the deployment of older Russian-made weaponry. There have also been reports that Venezuela is seeking external support. A cargo plane linked to the Russian military landed in Venezuela on August 26.

Reuters, Latin Times, Maghrebi.org