Talk of U.S. troops near Latin America’s doorstep is back—and it isn't just bluster this time.
According to Fox News, with tensions high between Washington and Caracas, the Trump administration has begun laying the groundwork for possible military action against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, including airstrikes and a growing naval buildup just offshore, according to insiders and national security experts.
Former Trump national security advisor Victoria Coates, now with the Heritage Foundation, says a troop deployment into Venezuela is "possible," but — for the moment — not the likely play.
Military Presence Grows Near Venezuelan Coast
Since August, the U.S. has steadily increased its military footprint off Venezuela's coast, sending in the USS Gerald R. Ford and supporting vessels in what Coates described as America’s “most significant” buildup since Iraq.
This isn't saber-rattling for show. In late November, President Trump directly issued an ultimatum to Maduro to step down and flee the country, warning of severe consequences if he refused—and even offering him an escape route for himself and his family. Following the ultimatum, Trump ordered Venezuela’s airspace to be closed, tightening the diplomatic vise while allowing defense planners time to finalize targeted strategies.
Airstrikes Take Center Stage in Emerging Strategy
Sources close to the administration suggest airstrikes could come next, focusing on cartel-related infrastructure inside Venezuelan territory. These would mirror operations already undertaken by the War Department against drug boats in the region — like the deadly strike publicly acknowledged in October by Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Rather than ground troops, this approach allows the U.S. to escalate pressure while minimizing entanglement. As Coates noted, “I would be surprised if there were actual combat exercises in Venezuela at this time.” Still, she made it clear that if Maduro digs in, “there is the possibility of escalation." That, friends, is D.C.-speak for: buckle up.
Maduro’s Regime Tied to Cartel Operations
The administration's concern stems not just from old-school autocracy, but from a hybrid threat—a dictatorship married to transnational drug cartels.
“This is a new kind of threat,” said Coates, describing the Caracas government as deeply tied to drug operations flooding America’s streets. The U.S. now estimates over 100,000 American drug deaths annually, much of it linked to narcotics passing through Venezuela, including fentanyl and record levels of cocaine. What began as a narcotics crackdown has clearly morphed into something far more serious. This marks a pivotal shift from treating drug policy as a domestic issue to confronting it as a national security menace.
Economic Pressure Targets Maduro’s Inner Circle
Should Maduro resist stepping down, more tools are in the bag—starting with sanctions aimed at his top generals and cronies, many of whom enjoy South Florida lifestyles far removed from Caracas chaos.
“There are a lot of people who like to spend a lot of time in Miami,” Coates noted dryly, suggesting sanctions could restrict travel and financial access for regime loyalists — particularly those with beachfront tastes and U.S.-based assets. And then there’s the $25 million carrot: the bounty placed on Maduro himself. In an unstable regime like his, loyalty can shift as quickly as an offshore wind.
Historical Parallels and Possible Outcomes
Coates pointed to the 1989 U.S. raid that captured Panama's Manuel Noriega as a potential precedent, noting that a similar operation remains on the table—though not the preferred option. “They’re exploring scenario one now before moving on to any other options,” Coates confirmed, emphasizing the administration’s commitment to exhausting diplomatic and targeted measures before escalating further.
Maduro, meanwhile, isn’t exactly cooling tensions. As recently as November 25, he was seen publicly wielding a sword during a ceremony at a Caracas military academy. Not exactly the gesture of a leader eager to negotiate.
Defending Security While Avoiding a Quagmire
Despite escalating rhetoric and a firm military posture, current plans still focus on avoiding full-fledged combat operations. The aim is clear: squeeze Maduro until he exits peacefully or his own people make the call for him. Coates summed up the administration’s position bluntly: “The president has fairly sweeping authorities under Article II of the Constitution to defend the American people from what he has defined as a real and present danger.” And if that danger carries the flag of a hostile regime as well as a cartel’s cash flow, then targeted strikes and sanctions may be only the beginning.
