US President Donald Trump was reportedly updated this week on potential military options for operations within Venezuela, according to four sources familiar with the matter, as reported by CNN.
The briefing took place against the backdrop of increased US military activity in the Caribbean and the formal launch of a new operation by the Defense Secretary. Though Trump received a refreshed set of options, sources emphasized that the briefing does not necessarily suggest the President is leaning toward a large-scale campaign against Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.
Trump has previously expressed hesitation about using military force to remove Maduro. The proposed strategies are tied to an operation overseen by US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), known as “Operation Southern Spear.”
According to sources, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine presented the options, which range from targeted airstrikes against military or government infrastructure and drug trafficking routes to more direct measures against Maduro’s regime. However, the President remains reluctant to authorize actions that could risk US troops or lack legal justification, especially for ground operations.
On X, Defense Secretary Hegseth formally announced the launch of Operation Southern Spear, describing it as a mission led by a Joint Task Force and SOUTHCOM to “defend our Homeland, remove narco-terrorists from our Hemisphere, and secure our Homeland from deadly drugs.”
This announcement marks the formalization of ongoing US military actions targeting suspected drug-trafficking vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific. These operations have reportedly led to several fatalities since September 2025.
The US presence in the region has continued to increase, with the recent arrival of the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group—one of the world’s largest—armed with an estimated 170 Tomahawk missiles. Analysts view this deployment as a significant escalation.
In response, Venezuela’s President Maduro has ordered a massive military mobilization and declared a state of maximum alert. Venezuelan forces have reportedly been put on full operational readiness.
International law experts and US allies, including France’s foreign minister, have raised concerns about the legality of US strikes on vessels in international waters. Some critics argue that the anti-narcotics mission is a cover for an effort to overthrow Maduro.
The developments suggest growing pressure on Maduro, either to seek exile or face military force. The situation will continue to evolve as Operation Southern Spear advances and Venezuela responds in the coming weeks.
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