The growing tension between the United States and Venezuela escalated over the weekend as the Trump administration put further pressure on the country’s leader, Nicolás Maduro.
On Monday, the United States’ designation of the Venezuelan Cartel de los Soles as a foreign terrorist organization, allegedly headed by Maduro, took effect. It’s another tactic by the White House as it engages in armed conflict against drug cartels.
The designation expands U.S. authority for potential strikes inside Venezuela.
U.S. officials told Reuters exclusively that a new phase of Venezuela-related operations is underway and that covert actions would likely come first.
“President Trump is prepared to use every element of American power to stop drugs from flooding into our country and to bring those responsible to justice,” one official told the outlet under anonymity, adding that one option under consideration is the complete overthrow of the Venezuelan president.
In the past year, President Donald Trump and some of his top Cabinet members, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, have been outspoken about the threats stemming from the South American country, specifically on drug trafficking into the U.S.
Last week, Rubio posted on X that Cartel de los Soles “has corrupted the institutions of government in Venezuela and is responsible for terrorist violence conducted by and with other designated FTOs as well as for trafficking drugs into the United States and Europe.”
As the potential for conflict escalates, the Federal Aviation Administration issued a security advisory last Friday about Venezuelan airspace, warning of a “worsening security situation and heightened military activity in or around Venezuela.”
With the newly appointed terrorist designation, the ongoing — and controversial — use of military power to blow up alleged drug boats in international waters since September and U.S. warships carrying thousands of U.S. troops into the region, it appears the conflict is ramping up.
But the American public may not be on board with what the White House is doing.
According to a CBS News/YouGov survey of 2,489 U.S. adults, 76% of respondents felt that the Trump administration has not given enough explanation of why and whether the U.S. intends to enter a military conflict with Venezuela. As many as 70% said they would oppose military action, and more than half believe it won’t change the amount of drugs entering the U.S.