U.S.–Venezuela Tensions Escalate as Trump Rejects Strike Reports and Trinidad Puts Forces on Alert

Overview

• The White House dismissed reports in the Miami Herald and Wall Street Journal that Washington approved strikes on Venezuelan facilities, with President Trump answering “no” when asked if he is considering such attacks.
• U.S. at-sea operations since September have targeted suspected drug-trafficking vessels, leaving about 62 dead and prompting the UN human-rights chief to warn of possible extrajudicial killings and legal violations.
• Documents reported by the Washington Post indicate Nicolás Maduro appealed to Russia and China for expanded military cooperation and pursued Iranian equipment such as drones and radar systems.
• Trinidad and Tobago issued a Level One general alert and recalled troops to barracks after hosting the USS Gravely for joint drills that Caracas denounced as a provocation.
• The U.S. buildup features a carrier strike group, F-35s based in Puerto Rico, bomber overflights near Venezuela, and newly released Pentagon footage showing Marines firing at sea.