Trump Dismisses Plans for Military Action Against Venezuela

President Donald Trump denied Friday that he's considering attacks on Venezuela, even as the US continues building up military forces in the Caribbean for what officials call an expanded drug enforcement campaign.

The US has been quietly strengthening its military presence in the Caribbean over recent months. Fighter jets, warships, and thousands of troops have moved into the region. The arrival of the Gerald Ford carrier group in coming weeks will add even more firepower to this buildup.

Trump had been hinting publicly in recent weeks that his administration might launch strikes against drug-related targets inside Venezuela. This raised questions about whether the US was preparing for direct military action against the South American country, which has been in political and economic turmoil for years.

But when reporters pressed him Friday aboard Air Force One about media reports suggesting he was weighing strikes inside Venezuela, Trump gave a simple answer: "No."

The mixed signals reflect the complex challenge Venezuela poses for US policy. The country has become a major transit point for drugs heading to North America, while President Nicolás Maduro's government faces international pressure over disputed elections and human rights concerns.

For regional markets and governments, the US military buildup creates uncertainty. Caribbean nations must balance their relationships with Washington while avoiding getting pulled into any potential conflict. Oil markets also watch Venezuela closely, since any military action could disrupt production in a country with some of the world's largest proven reserves.

The drug enforcement angle gives the US legal cover for increased military activity in the region. But the scale of forces being deployed suggests preparations that go beyond typical counter-narcotics operations.