In a dramatic shift in diplomatic strategy, former President Donald Trump is reportedly seeking direct communication with Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, even as America's top military officer arrives in the Caribbean amid escalating tensions between the two nations.
Military Buildup and Diplomatic Overtures
General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Trump's chief military adviser, has landed in Puerto Rico for his second visit to the region since the United States began significantly increasing its military presence. The deployment includes the USS Gerald R. Ford, the world's largest aircraft carrier, now positioned in Caribbean waters.
Sources close to the president told Axios that Trump's desire for face-to-face discussions with Maduro suggests that immediate military action against mainland Venezuela might be less likely than previously anticipated. "Nobody is planning to go in and shoot him or snatch him — at this point. I wouldn't say never, but that's not the plan right now," one source revealed, addressing speculation about potential assassination plots.
Operation Southern Spear and Congressional Backlash
The military escalation comes as the United States continues Operation Southern Spear, a campaign that has seen 21 missile strikes targeting vessels allegedly transporting drugs toward American shores. The operations have resulted in 83 confirmed fatalities according to official reports.
Thirteen Democratic senators have challenged the administration's actions, sending a formal letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth demanding clarification on the "domestic and international legal basis for recent military strikes." Their correspondence emphasised that "few decisions are more consequential for a democracy than the use of lethal force" and urged enhanced transparency in military operations.
Political Warfare and Regional Reactions
The White House has intensified pressure on Caracas through multiple channels, with reports emerging about plans to drop political leaflets offering $50 million for information leading to Maduro's removal. The administration has further designated the Cartel de los Soles, an organisation with strong government ties, as a foreign terrorist organisation.
Maduro, who has maintained power since 2013 despite not being recognised as Venezuela's legitimate leader by over 50 countries following the contested 2024 election, has responded with calls for peace. The socialist leader recently performed John Lennon's "Imagine" at a rally and danced with supporters while urging de-escalation.
Meanwhile, Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, recipient of the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize, has enthusiastically endorsed Trump's aggressive stance. She described the American president as the "biggest opportunity we've ever had" for regime change and expressed full support for the anti-drug operations, stating: "I think it is the right thing to do. It's courageous. It's visionary."
As General Caine's office maintains that his Puerto Rico visit focuses on engaging with service members, the unprecedented military buildup continues to fuel speculation about potential strikes against the sovereign nation, even as diplomatic channels potentially open between the two leaders.
