The U.S. military is preparing options for drone strikes targeting drug trafficking groups, their leaders, and labs inside Venezuela, potentially starting in weeks, as part of the Trump administration’s aggressive campaign against drug flows, amid frustrations that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has not done enough to curb them, according to four anonymous sources including U.S. officials. Recent actions include U.S. strikes on at least three Venezuelan boats allegedly carrying drugs, killing 11, with President Trump announcing one such strike against a vessel linked to the Tren de Aragua gang on September 2, though evidence was only confirmed for some via drugs found in the water by Dominican and U.S. officials.

While Trump has not yet approved the internal strikes, a senior administration official emphasized readiness to use full American power, alongside ongoing indirect talks with Maduro via Middle Eastern intermediaries about concessions for him to stay in power, despite his denials and accusations of U.S. regime change efforts pushed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The U.S. has deployed significant assets like eight ships and F-35 jets, previously indicted Maduro on drug charges with a $50 million reward, and accused him of ties to cartels sending cocaine and gang members to the U.S., though Venezuela is primarily a transit point for cocaine rather than fentanyl, which mainly originates from Mexico, raising concerns about diplomatic fallout and military sustainability as warned by Venezuelan analysts.

NBC: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/us-preparing-options-military-strikes-drug-targets-venezuela-sources-s-rcna233734

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYA5rURdFIg

nbcnews.com

U.S. preparing options for military strikes on drug targets inside Venezuela, sources say

President Donald Trump has not approved any action yet, and the U.S. and Venezuela are talking through Middle Eastern intermediaries, sources told NBC News.