US plans strikes inside Venezuela against drug cartels, reports say

The United States is planning military strikes in Venezuela against drug cartels in the coming weeks, according to NBC News. The proposed operation would largely involve drone strikes aimed at cartel leaders, cadres and drug laboratories, and would be conducted as a response to what Washington views as President Nicolas Maduro's failure to curb illicit trafficking. A final decision on approval rests with President Donald Trump, and the White House has not publicly confirmed any authorization. The plan would mark a potential escalation in U.S. efforts to curb cross-border narcotics flows from Venezuela and surrounding networks, with officials signaling that actions could proceed in the near term depending on presidential sign-off.

Officials described the plan as a major escalation in U.S. anti-drug efforts in the hemisphere. It would target drug-trafficking networks operating from Venezuela and would be coordinated with partners in the U.S. Southern Command's area of responsibility, according to NBC News. Caracas has long disputed U.S. assertions of illegitimacy, with Washington describing Maduro’s government as illegitimate and not doing enough to stop illicit trafficking. The proposal has drawn attention from U.S. and regional security circles as Washington weighs the consequences of additional military steps in a volatile region.

To provide context, a recent lethal strike targeted a vessel believed to be affiliated with a narcotics-trafficking organization. The operation, described by officials as aimed at cutting off narcotics flows, killed three male operatives and was reported to have occurred within the U.S. Southern Command's area of responsibility. The White House has referred to Trump’s earlier remarks on the matter, signaling that further steps remain under consideration rather than finalized approval. News outlets including Daily Mail reported on the evolving discussions surrounding potential Venezuela-based strikes, underscoring that the action remains a developing story.

The emerging plan would be among the most aggressive U.S. actions in the region in recent years, reflecting a broader emphasis on intercepting and dismantling drug-trafficking networks that originate or pass through Venezuela. If approved, the operation would hinge on a highly targeted, rules-of-engagement approach centered on drones capable of striking leaders, members and drug labs while attempting to minimize broader escalation or civilian harm. Washington has stressed that any military action would be calibrated to pressure cartel networks while navigating the political and humanitarian sensitivities in Venezuela and the wider region.

Observers expect that approval would hinge on assessments of risk, regional stability, and potential retaliatory moves, including responses from Venezuela and allied actors. The negotiations and signals from the White House indicate a preference for a measured but assertive response to the drug-trafficking networks tied to Venezuela, even as U.S. lawmakers and regional partners weigh the strategic costs and benefits of a more assertive military posture. As the administration continues to deliberate, officials emphasize that no final commitment has been announced and that developments will be monitored closely by regional partners and international observers.

This is a developing story, and updates are expected as more information becomes available.