Some US officials reportedly believe the operation could help topple President Nicolás Maduro.
President Donald Trump is weighing proposals for US strikes against alleged “cocaine facilities” and other targets related to drug trafficking inside Venezuela, CNN reported Friday, citing sources.
Two unnamed officials told the network that Trump has not ruled out diplomacy with Nicolás Maduro, despite earlier reports that the United States had completely broken off dialogue with Caracas while contemplating a possible campaign to overthrow the Venezuelan president.
However, a CNN source noted that “There are plans on the table that the president is considering” on operations on targets within Venezuela. A third official said the Trump administration is looking at several options but is currently focused on “Chasing drugs within Venezuela.”

Some US officials reportedly believe that an anti-narcotics campaign within the Latin American country could also increase pressure for regime change in Caracas. Publicly, Trump has denied trying to remove the Venezuelan leader from power.
In recent weeks, US forces have carried out several attacks against vessels suspected of transporting drugs that Washington says are linked to Venezuela, leaving dozens dead. On Thursday, Trump – who previously confirmed that he had authorized CIA operations inside Venezuela – said the United States could extend its maritime anti-drug campaign to land, without giving further details. In addition, Washington deployed the aircraft carrier. USS Gerald R. Ford to the Caribbean to support the anti-drug campaign.
Maduro has consistently denied that his government is in any way linked to drug trafficking, suggesting that the United States is using the accusations as a pretext for regime change. Following reports about the deployment of an aircraft carrier, the Venezuelan president accused the United States of seeking “a new eternal war.”
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