US President Donald Trump on Saturday denied any plans for military strikes on Venezuela. He spoke aboard Air Force One. Trump said media reports suggesting strikes were false. His comments followed weeks of speculation about potential action against the South American nation.
The denial contrasts with earlier statements. Trump had previously hinted that he might target alleged drug traffickers without declaring war. Meanwhile, the US deployed thousands of troops, fighter jets, and the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford near Venezuela’s coast. The buildup caused regional concern.
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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also dismissed reports as fake. He criticized a Miami Herald story claiming US forces were ready to attack. Rubio said reporters were misled by unreliable sources. The administration continues to insist the deployments are defensive and anti-drug operations.
Since September, US forces have struck vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. These attacks killed at least 62 people and destroyed boats and a semi-submersible. Washington claims they target drug traffickers, but no public evidence has been released. The UN condemned the strikes as unacceptable and called for an immediate halt.
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Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro accused the US of fabricating a “new eternal war.” He rejected drug trafficking claims and criticized regional military actions. Neighboring Trinidad and Tobago placed its forces on high alert. Lawmakers in the US Senate have also demanded details on the legality of the operations.