U.S. President Donald Trump mulls potential military intervention against drug trafficking gangs within Venezuela, news suggests.

U.S. Military Buildup in Caribbean: F-35 Deployment and Potential Actions Against Drug Trafficking

The United States has been increasing its military presence in the Caribbean, with the recent deployment of F-35 warplanes to Puerto Rico as part of its war on cartels. This move comes as the U.S. orders an additional 10 stealth fighter jets to bolster its forces in the region.

The operation, which is part of a broader campaign, aims to combat drug trafficking in the region and potentially remove President Nicolás Maduro from power in Venezuela. However, President Trump has clarified that the U.S. is not discussing "regime change" in Venezuela.

The F-35s, highly advanced stealth fighters, would be effective in combat against Venezuela's air force, which includes F-16 aircraft. Tensions have risen in the region, with reports of a U.S. military strike earlier in the week targeting a Venezuelan boat in the southern Caribbean, killing 11 people.

The U.S. Marines and sailors from the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit are carrying out amphibious training and flight operations in southern Puerto Rico. Two Venezuelan military aircraft approached a U.S. Navy ship in international waters on Thursday, which was deemed a "highly provocative" act, according to a Pentagon report.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has denied Trump's claims that Venezuela forms the nexus of a vast drug trafficking network and has called for dialogue. He has also stated that disagreements with the U.S. should not lead to military conflict. The reward for capturing Maduro has been increased to $50 million, with the U.S. accusing him of heading a narco-terrorist organization.

Anonymous officials cited by Reuters and unnamed U.S. government sources have reported that Trump is considering military strikes against drug cartels operating inside Venezuela. The U.S. has not officially confirmed these reports.

The U.S. has been facing criticism for its aggressive stance towards Venezuela, with some arguing that diplomatic solutions should be pursued instead of military action. However, Trump has compared the overdose deaths of hundreds of thousands of Americans to wartime casualties, justifying an aggressive military presence in the Caribbean.

As the situation in the Caribbean continues to evolve, the U.S. and Venezuela remain at odds, with tensions running high and the potential for military action looming. The international community will be watching closely to see how this situation unfolds.

U.S. President Donald Trump mulls potential military intervention against drug trafficking gangs within Venezuela, news suggests.