By Orlin Milinov
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Speculation is growing that the United States may be preparing a significant move against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, following recent military operations in the Caribbean targeting what Washington claims are Venezuelan drug traffickers.
In a letter to Congress last week, U.S. President Donald Trump declared that the country is in an “armed conflict” with drug cartels, using this legal justification for at least four U.S. naval strikes in international waters that reportedly killed 21 people in recent weeks.
However, the move has sparked questions among lawmakers and analysts about whether these actions are legal — and whether they could signal a broader U.S. campaign against the Maduro regime.
Questions Over U.S. Intentions
Reports in U.S. media suggest the existence of a Justice Department memo that could authorize agencies such as the CIA to take direct action against Venezuela’s government. If true, this would mark a return to the Cold War-style tactics once used by Washington to destabilize Latin American governments it opposed.
During testimony before Congress, Attorney General Pam Bondi refused to confirm or deny the memo’s existence but described Maduro as a “narco-terrorist.”
“What I can tell you is that Maduro is a narco-terrorist,” Bondi said, noting that the U.S. Department of Justice has placed a $50 million bounty on Maduro’s head. “He is currently under indictment in our country.”
Military Buildup Raises Alarms
According to reports, the U.S. Navy has deployed warships and F-35 fighter jets to Puerto Rico, while Marines are positioned aboard ships off the Venezuelan coast. Caracas has responded by placing its military on high alert and mobilizing civilian militias, claiming that U.S. aircraft have already flown close to its airspace.
Such developments, experts say, point to a possible escalation.
“There’s a real possibility that Washington could be preparing for a stronger military response,” said Evan Ellis, a Latin America researcher at the U.S. War College. “President Trump’s patience seems to have run out.”
Ellis, who previously served in the Trump administration, suggested that if tensions persist through November or December, there’s a “50-50 chance” the U.S. might act on “credible intelligence” to bring Maduro to justice, though he declined to outline how that could happen.
Calls for Caution Amid Political Uncertainty
Meanwhile, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro reportedly sent a letter to Trump offering dialogue — a proposal that the White House rejected.
Former U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Frank Mora, who served under President Barack Obama, warned that Washington may be overextending its military posture without a clear strategic endgame.
“Deploying a naval flotilla only to hit a few speedboats doesn’t seem like the full plan,” Mora said. “While Trump talks about dismantling drug networks, it’s evident that some in his administration are hoping this leads to the collapse of Maduro’s government.”
The Final Word Rests With Trump
As domestic opposition to the U.S. deployment grows, analysts note that the decision ultimately rests with Trump — as seen in previous unilateral military actions, including the bombing of Iranian facilities.
“Trump could very well choose escalation,” Ellis said. “But it’s just as possible that he might secure a deal he’s satisfied with and move on to something else.”
For now, the world watches closely as Washington and Caracas edge deeper into confrontation, raising fears of a new geopolitical flashpoint in the Western Hemisphere.
