Four sources close to the matter claim that top military brass is crafting plans to strike at Venezuelan drug traffickers at the source in the South American nation, according to reports.
This would escalate action already taken by President Donald Trump’s administration against the illicit drug trade that funnels its poison from Venezuela into the U.S., NBC News reported.
Two of the sources were familiar with the specific discussions, while the other two had knowledge of the planning effort, suggesting that these strategic moves are indeed moving forward.
All parties requested that the news outlet keep them anonymous, as these plans are not intended for public consumption.
The strikes would be targeted but represent another level of engagement as they would take place within Venezuela.
There have already been three military strikes against Venezuelan boats that allegedly were carrying drugs and nefarious individuals that Trump said were dangerous to Americans.
🚨Alert: Drone strikes against Venezuela Coming! According to an NBC News exclusive, the US is preparing options for military strikes against Venezuelan drug trafficking targets, with plans centered on drone strikes against El Presidente and his regime in Caracas. They assure… pic.twitter.com/gveDPTpReV
— US Homeland Security News (@defense_civil25) September 27, 2025
Sources indicate that although the White House hasn’t made any official plans for attacks, the military campaign could be initiated within the next several weeks, based on current discussions.
They would likely be drone strikes focused on the cartels’ leadership and members, as well as the locations where these drugs are refined and manufactured.
This comes as Trump believes that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro hasn’t done enough to keep the cartels from exporting illegal narcotics to the U.S., which was the justification for the previous boat strikes.
The attacks were successful, as evidenced by drugs found in the water following one particular strike, according to the nearby U.S. Embassy and officials in the Dominican Republic.
At this point, further military action is a theoretical possibility, but recent movements of military resources into the area suggest something bigger is on the horizon, Fox News reported.
Geoff Ramsey, a senior fellow at the international affairs think tank, the Atlantic Council, said:
“Whether we see more consequential strikes will depend more on political calculations in Washington than on operational capability.
“The administration could use the strikes as occasional shows of force, or it could escalate into a more systematic campaign,” Ramsey warned.
“But the risk of doing so would be that we could destabilize Venezuela and spark an internal armed conflict with no clear endgame.”
What begins as a strike against the drug trade could carry a “real risk of escalation” if Maduro believes his nation’s sovereignty is under attack.
It could also spark off a “cycle of retaliation” from the Venezuelan government, but that might be a risk Trump is willing to take to combat the growing drug problem.
As NBC News noted, a U.S. military official has noted that more than 4,000 personnel and eight warships have been deployed to the area.
Several F-35 fighter jets have also arrived in Puerto Rico, suggesting that forces are preparing for an event in the region.
“You don’t move that many resources down there without looking at all options,” one source said.
It’s unusual to allocate such a significant number of military resources to one area while leaving others vulnerable without a clear plan.
“You can’t keep that kind of firepower in the Caribbean forever,” the source said.
Moreover, Trump has a history of pursuing Maduro over Venezuela’s role in sending drugs such as fentanyl and cocaine into the U.S.
As Trump’s first term was wrapping up in 2020, his Justice Department slapped the Venezuelan president with charges related to the Venezuelan drugs and gangs.
There’s some suggestion that part of the objective in sending military assets and initiating drone strikes is to destabilize Maduro’s power.
This is an objective Secretary of State Marco Rubio has also supported, according to those close to the administration, and could serve Trump’s purposes of keeping the U.S. safe while ousting a terrible leader.
Nobody is eager for war at this time, but cutting off the drug problem at its source by initiating some drone strikes seems like a risk worth taking.
Venezuela is a nation overrun with drugs and crime that’s run by a dictator, and regime change may be necessary to make life better for its citizens as well as Americans.
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