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The United States is preparing to launch operations on land in Venezuela to dismantle alleged drug trafficking networks, an escalation of its anti-cartel campaign that could begin "very, very soon," according to President Donald Trump. This move signals a significant shift from previous U.S. interdiction efforts, which were primarily focused on maritime routes in the Caribbean Sea.
Speaking to reporters, Trump confirmed that the new phase would involve land-based action, a move that follows months of heightened rhetoric and military posturing against President Nicolás Maduro's government. The administration has repeatedly accused senior Venezuelan officials of being complicit in the global narcotics trade, turning the nation into a narco-state. The plan, which reportedly awaits final presidential approval, reflects a hardening of the U.S. strategy toward Venezuela.
U.S. intelligence agencies have reportedly identified multiple potential targets inside Venezuela. These include naval installations, clandestine airstrips, and port facilities allegedly controlled by the military and used to facilitate the shipment of narcotics to Central America and the Caribbean. According to NBC News sources, military officials have been actively drawing up strike options for weeks, preparing for a potential green light from the White House. The contemplated military strikes on drug targets would be a direct challenge to Venezuelan sovereignty.
This potential ground-level engagement follows "Operation Southern Spear," a U.S. military operation initiated earlier in 2025 that involved airstrikes against vessels suspected of drug smuggling in international waters. This next step would bring U.S. forces directly into Venezuelan territory, a significant development in the administration's broader "war on cartels." The announcement has drawn international attention, with observers concerned about the potential for a wider conflict in the region. The Venezuelan government has not yet issued a formal response to Trump's latest statements, though it has consistently denied U.S. allegations and condemned past military actions as acts of aggression. The decision expands a U.S. anti-drug campaign that has become a cornerstone of the administration's foreign policy in Latin America.
