Trump’s “Sort of” Made up His Mind on Venezuela Action

President Donald Trump says he has “sort of” made up his mind on how his administration will proceed with Venezuela, as top national security officials continue meetings on potential military operations.

“I sort of have made up my mind,” Trump told CBS News aboard Air Force One. “But I can’t tell you what it would be.”

Military officials reportedly presented Trump with options for land-based strikes and other operations targeting Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, whom the U.S. accuses of enabling armed criminal gangs involved in drug trafficking.

Over the past two months, U.S. forces have conducted strikes on at least 21 vessels, killing more than 80 suspected traffickers. Still, several Western European governments say they have not seen evidence directly linking Maduro to cartel operations.

Tensions escalated when the USS Gerald R. Ford, the most advanced U.S. aircraft carrier, joined a growing U.S. presence in the Caribbean. That includes destroyers, warplanes, and special operations units. CNN reports the U.S. military footprint in the region now exceeds 15,000 personnel.

Meanwhile, Maduro has ordered a nationwide military mobilisation in response to the arrival of the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier in the Caribbean.