U.S. Prepares Precision Strikes Against Venezuela Military Amid Rising Tensions

The Trump administration is increasingly preparing for military strikes inside Venezuela, targeting military facilities linked to narcotics smuggling and the Cartel de los Soles, which U.S. officials describe as a criminal organization led by President Nicolás Maduro. While President Trump has publicly denied finalizing a decision to launch strikes, the deployment of major military assets such as the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier and the designation of Venezuelan criminal groups as terrorist organizations signal a significant escalation. Analysts predict that any U.S. attack would involve precision strikes using Tomahawk missiles, drones, and electronic warfare, aimed at dismantling the cartel's hierarchy and crippling Venezuela's military capabilities, with a swift victory expected due to the Venezuelan military's low operational readiness. Critics argue that such an attack would be illegal under international law, likely to cause civilian casualties, and may not succeed in removing Maduro, who could use the assault to rally domestic support. The conflict risks destabilizing the region and echoes historical U.S. interventions motivated by economic and geopolitical interests, particularly regarding Venezuela's oil resources and alliances with Russia and China. Venezuela's receipt of Russian air defense systems adds complexity to the situation, potentially affecting the conflict's dynamics.