Trump Weighs Plan to Target Cocaine Facilities in Venezuela, Officials Say
Washington, D.C. U.S. President Donald Trump is weighing plans to target cocaine production facilities and trafficking routes inside Venezuela, according to multiple U.S. officials familiar with early internal discussions, as first reported by CNN and confirmed by Reuters and the Associated Press on Friday.
The idea, which officials describe as being in the “options phase,” would mark one of the boldest U.S. counter narcotics moves in decades — potentially extending American operations directly onto Venezuelan soil. No final decision has been made, and officials stressed that the proposal remains under review.
💬 What Officials Are Saying
Senior administration sources told reporters that the President asked defense and intelligence agencies to present “credible operational scenarios” for disrupting cocaine-related facilities that allegedly operate with the support or tolerance of elements within the Venezuelan government.
“This would represent a major escalation of U.S. efforts to curb narcotics flows from South America,” one official said, emphasizing that any potential strike would require extensive legal and diplomatic evaluation.
The White House and Pentagon have not publicly confirmed details of the deliberations, though a senior defense spokesperson said the administration “remains committed to countering transnational criminal networks that threaten U.S. national security.”
🌎 Background: A New Front in the Drug War
The discussions come amid a broader shift in U.S. drug-enforcement strategy. In recent months, the Trump administration has expanded maritime and aerial patrols in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific, arguing that transnational narcotics networks exploit weak governance in parts of South America.
Venezuela, long accused by Washington of facilitating trafficking from neighboring Colombia, has increasingly featured in U.S. intelligence reports. While Colombia and Peru remain the world’s primary cocaine producers, analysts say Venezuela has become a key transit hub a claim Caracas consistently denies.
Since cutting diplomatic ties with the U.S. in 2019, Venezuela has expelled American diplomats, limited DEA access, and forged closer ties with Russia, China, and Iran. Any U.S. military or covert action on Venezuelan territory would risk inflaming already strained relations.
⚖️ Legal and Strategic Hurdles
International law experts say striking targets inside another sovereign nation without consent would raise serious legal questions under the United Nations Charter. “Without Security Council authorization or a credible self defense claim, it would be viewed as a violation of sovereignty,” said Dr. Maria Ortega, a professor of international law at Georgetown University.
Analysts also warn of potential retaliation. “Venezuela could appeal to allies or escalate regional tensions, especially if civilians are harmed or infrastructure is destroyed,” noted Michael Grant, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Policy Institute.
For now, U.S. officials describe the proposal as a contingency concept rather than an imminent plan. But the discussions signal a willingness by Washington to move beyond interdiction at sea and consider strikes on the source infrastructure itself a step unseen since Cold War era counter narcotics operations.
🇻🇪 Caracas Denies Accusations
Venezuela’s government quickly condemned the reports. Foreign Minister Yvan Gil said in a televised statement that the U.S. “fabricates pretexts to justify aggression against sovereign nations.” He accused Washington of “weaponizing the fight against drugs” for political gain and reaffirmed that “Venezuela has no cocaine production facilities.”
President Nicolás Maduro’s administration maintains that Venezuela is primarily a victim of trafficking routes originating elsewhere and blames decades of U.S. sanctions for weakening the country’s ability to police its borders.
In an official communiqué, Caracas warned that “any violation of our national territory will be met with proportional and lawful defense measures.”
📊 How the U.S. Frames It
According to the latest report from the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, roughly 90 percent of cocaine entering the United States originates in Colombia, but as much as 15-20 percent transits through Venezuela before reaching Caribbean or Central American routes.
U.S. officials argue that Venezuelan security forces have been “complicit or negligent” in allowing traffickers to operate airstrips and storage facilities in remote areas. A 2024 Treasury Department sanctions update targeted several Venezuelan military officers accused of facilitating shipments.
“The President’s frustration is that these routes have persisted despite years of interdiction,” said one U.S. official, speaking anonymously due to the sensitivity of the deliberations. “He wants options that send a clear message.”
🪖 Military Options Under Discussion
Defense analysts believe any strike, if authorized, would likely involve precision air or drone operations against isolated infrastructure rather than broad ground incursions. Covert options such as intelligence sharing, cyber disruption, or sabotage are also being assessed.
“We’re not talking about invasion or regime change,” said one senior defense planner. “We’re talking about targeted action against networks tied to narcotics production.”
However, even limited operations carry risk. U.S. aircraft would need to penetrate Venezuelan airspace defended by Russian-made S-300 missile systems, and any civilian casualties could trigger global condemnation.
🌐 International Reaction
Regional governments have responded cautiously. Colombia and Brazil, both key U.S. security partners, urged restraint while reaffirming commitment to the anti-narcotics fight. Mexico expressed concern that unilateral actions could “undermine regional cooperation frameworks.”
The European Union and United Nations have not formally commented, though several European diplomats privately signaled worry that “any military approach could destabilize Latin America.”
Russia’s Foreign Ministry denounced the reports, warning that “foreign intervention under the guise of counter narcotics would be unacceptable.” China echoed that sentiment, calling for “respect of sovereignty and peaceful dialogue.”
📉 Economic and Political Stakes
Beyond drug policy, the episode has implications for global oil and trade. Venezuela holds the world’s largest proven oil reserves, though its economy remains crippled by sanctions and mismanagement. Analysts fear that new conflict could further disrupt global energy markets and complicate ongoing humanitarian aid deliveries.
At home, Trump’s national security team sees potential political value in projecting toughness on narcotics. The administration has frequently cited the opioid crisis and fentanyl trafficking as national emergencies, linking them to broader border security narratives. A hard-line approach on cocaine could appeal to that same domestic base.
🕵️ What Analysts Say
Policy experts remain divided. Supporters argue that years of diplomatic pressure and sanctions have failed to curb drug networks in the region. “There’s an argument that cartels operate with near impunity,” said Linda McCarron, a former DEA field officer. “A show of force could disrupt their logistics.”
Critics warn it would backfire. “Strikes on foreign soil without international backing risk isolating the U.S. and could embolden adversaries,” countered Dr. Arturo Menendez, a Latin American security analyst based in Madrid. “The humanitarian and diplomatic costs could outweigh any short term success.”
🗺️ Historical Context
The U.S. has a long history of anti-drug operations in Latin America, from 1980s interdiction programs in the Caribbean to Plan Colombia in the 2000s. Yet direct action within another sovereign state especially one with hostile relations would be unprecedented in modern times.
Veteran diplomats recall how similar debates surrounded Nicaragua and Panama during the Reagan and Bush administrations, where covert operations blurred lines between law enforcement and foreign policy.
⏳ What Happens Next
Officials emphasize that no authorization has been given for any strikes or covert missions. The Defense Department continues to assess intelligence and risk analyses while diplomatic channels remain open.
Congress would likely demand consultation before any kinetic action, though some hawkish lawmakers have publicly supported “all tools on the table” to combat narco trafficking. The State Department is also said to be exploring increased sanctions and new interdiction partnerships as non military alternatives.
🕯️ Global Outlook
Whatever path Washington chooses, the deliberations highlight the evolving nature of the global drug war one that increasingly intersects with geopolitics, trade, and national security. As synthetic drugs dominate headlines, the cocaine trade remains resilient, adapting faster than policy frameworks can evolve.
For Venezuela, a country battling economic collapse and political isolation, renewed confrontation with Washington could close fragile diplomatic openings and worsen the humanitarian crisis. For the U.S., a new military front in South America would test both international credibility and domestic appetite for intervention abroad.
As one former diplomat summarized: “You can bomb an airstrip, but you can’t bomb a network. The real fight is political and economic.”
“Every administration looks for decisive moments,” said a senior Latin American analyst. “But history shows that in this region, decisive moments often echo for decades.”