President Donald Trump stated he is not considering military strikes in Venezuela, despite a significant US military buildup in the region, including the deployment of fighter jets and the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed Trump’s denial of reports regarding imminent strikes, while the military has conducted operations against alleged drug smuggling, resulting in casualties. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro condemned the US actions, claiming his country does not produce cocaine. Meanwhile, Trinidad and Tobago heightened its military alert in response to the US presence, and bipartisan US senators are seeking clarity on the legal justification for the strikes.
