US and Venezuela: Headed for confrontation?
Donald Trump’s threatening statements, increased military patrols in the Caribbean, and consideration of possible attack scenarios have created a picture of an imminent crisis in the region.
US President Donald Trump warned on Saturday in a message addressed to “airlines, pilots, drug traffickers and human traffickers” to consider Venezuelan airspace “closed”.
The US president wrote on the Truth Social network: “To all airlines, pilots, drug traffickers, and human traffickers; please consider the airspace in and around Venezuela completely closed.”
According to the American newspaper Wall Street Journal, based on flight tracking data and citing a defense official, the United States has simulated attacks against Venezuela in recent weeks using fighter jets and bombers.
The United States has also expanded its military presence in the Caribbean in recent weeks under the pretext of fighting drug trafficking, to allow for increased speed and volume of air operations if Trump decides to take further military action.
US media have reported that about a third of the US Navy is deployed in the region, and fighter jets are constantly patrolling international airspace near Venezuela.
The New York Times reported on Friday, citing sources familiar with the matter, that Trump spoke by phone with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro last week and that the two sides discussed the possibility of a meeting.
The Wall Street Journal also reported on Saturday, citing sources familiar with the matter, that Trump and Maduro discussed Venezuela’s request for a general amnesty for Maduro, his top aides, and their families. Many of these individuals are subject to strict US sanctions or have been indicted in the United States.
The American newspaper claimed that Trump threatened Maduro in a phone call with him to step down or face a US military attack on the country.
The New York Times also claimed, citing informed sources, that the White House is considering options for possible attacks on targets in Venezuela, a move that analysts see as increasing diplomatic and military pressure to force Maduro to make concessions.
The New York Times claimed on Saturday, citing informed sources, that US intelligence agencies have provided information about the locations of drug facilities in Venezuela and Colombia.
CNN also claimed that officials close to Maduro have consulted with the White House about ways to reduce tensions and reach an understanding, and that talks about how to shape relations between the two countries are still ongoing.
This is while no official agreement or specific details of these talks have been published yet.
Trump announced the possibility of a ground invasion of Venezuela on Thursday at a Thanksgiving Day event at his Florida resort, saying, “Ground is easier. It will start soon. We warned them to stop sending drugs into our country.”
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegsett also wrote on the social media platform X on Friday: “We have just started killing drug terrorists.”