In a bold escalation that threatens to ignite already-intense tensions with Caracas, U.S. President Donald Trump announced Thursday that the United States will expand its anti-narcotics operations targeting Venezuela — moving beyond the high seas and onto Venezuelan soil.
Speaking via video call with American troops during Thanksgiving celebrations, Trump revealed that maritime interdictions have been so effective that Washington now intends to “stop traffickers on land” as well. The move marks the most aggressive step yet in the administration’s campaign against the government of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.
“We Will Start Stopping Them on Land” — Trump Signals Major Shift
“We’ve almost stopped it — about 85 percent at sea,” Trump told U.S. service members.
“And we will start stopping them on land. Land is easier, and we will start that soon.”
The comments were reported by AFP and summarized by TASR, underscoring a strategic pivot that Venezuelan officials say proves Washington’s real goal: regime change, not drug interdiction.
U.S. Military Presence Rising — but Evidence Still Lacking
Over recent months, the United States has increased its military footprint across the Caribbean, citing the fight against drug trafficking. But according to AFP, Washington has not provided public evidence that the vessels it has destroyed — causing at least 83 deaths in the Caribbean and Pacific — were actually involved in narcotics smuggling.
That lack of transparency has fueled accusations from Caracas that Washington is using the narcotics narrative as political cover.
Washington Targets Maduro With $50 Million Bounty
The Trump administration alleges that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is deeply involved in international drug trafficking networks. The U.S. has placed a $50 million reward on Maduro’s capture — one of the highest bounties ever offered on a sitting world leader.
Maduro, for his part, claims Washington’s campaign has nothing to do with stopping drugs and everything to do with seizing Venezuela’s vast oil reserves.
He accuses the United States of executing an “economic, military, and political siege” under the false banner of anti-narcotics operations.
A Dangerous New Phase
Expanding operations from sea to land could push U.S.–Venezuelan relations to the brink. Legal scholars warn that any U.S. action perceived as occurring inside Venezuelan territory — even indirectly — risks a broader confrontation with unpredictable consequences.
Meanwhile, human-rights organizations have already raised concerns over the deaths resulting from U.S. maritime strikes and the absence of evidence linking the targeted boats to criminal activity.
With Trump promising a rapid expansion of operations and Washington doubling down on its accusations, the conflict between the United States and Venezuela appears poised to enter its most volatile chapter yet.