US Prepares Military Strikes Against Venezuela Amid Drug Cartel Crackdown

The Trump administration is poised to launch military strikes inside Venezuela targeting military installations linked to the Cartel de los Soles, a drug trafficking network embedded within the Venezuelan military. U.S. forces have significantly increased their presence in the Caribbean, including deploying aircraft carriers, destroyers, F-35B fighters, drones, and thousands of personnel, with plans to decapitate cartel leadership and disrupt drug trafficking operations estimated to export 500 tons of cocaine annually. While President Trump has publicly denied finalizing any decision to strike Venezuela, sources indicate that attacks could come imminently, aiming to trap Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who faces a $50 million bounty for his capture due to his alleged role in the cartel. The strikes are part of a broader campaign against narcotics trafficking, which has already resulted in multiple deadly strikes on vessels suspected of smuggling drugs. Former U.S. officials have warned that the U.S. could escalate by firing long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles into Venezuela from outside territorial waters, although the extent of potential military action remains uncertain amid international legal concerns. The campaign has drawn criticism from various political figures and international observers, highlighting the contentious nature of the U.S. approach towards Venezuela under Trump's leadership.