The potential destruction of key cartel sites looms as President Donald Trump considers deploying the US Navy to target Venezuela, according to a retired colonel interviewed by The Mirror. The recent presence of the USS Gerald R. Ford, the largest aircraft carrier globally, signals a possible escalation in Trump’s campaign against suspected drug trafficking vessels off the Venezuelan coast, which have caused at least 75 deaths since August. Trump, who pledged to combat the drug trade and the influx of fentanyl claiming thousands of American lives annually, has hinted at toppling the regime of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.
The deployment of a naval strike group to the Caribbean has raised speculations about direct strikes against both the cartels and Maduro’s government. Retired US Marine Corps Colonel and senior advisor Mark Cancian highlighted the unusual military buildup, emphasizing potential targets such as cartel production facilities, airfields, warehouses, and shipbuilding sites. He also mentioned the possibility of striking Maduro’s regime headquarters, security forces, leadership, and air defenses.
Trump’s administration, along with previous administrations in Washington DC, has opposed Maduro’s dictatorship, viewing it as a catalyst for cartel activities and drug smuggling into the US. This stance has prompted the decision to dispatch numerous warships and submarines towards the Caribbean. Despite the US having a significant presence in the region, the limited number of marines compared to Venezuela’s ground forces rules out an immediate ground offensive.
While the US hopes for regime change in Venezuela, concerns exist that cartels might strengthen their grip outside major cities. Any new government post-Maduro’s removal may not receive direct US troop support but could benefit from military aid, training, and peacekeeping assistance from other nations. Trump might argue that supporting a new administration is essential to combat drug trafficking and protect American citizens.
Cancian suggested that any potential military aid to Venezuela would be smaller in scale compared to aid provided to Ukraine and would likely involve less ground conflict. The rationale behind supporting a new administration would revolve around countering the drug trade and safeguarding US interests.