Trump Threatens Imminent Ground Strikes in Venezuela Campaign
US President Donald J. Trump has dramatically escalated the pressure on the Venezuelan regime of Nicolás Maduro, announcing that ground-based operations targeting alleged drug trafficking networks could begin “very soon.” Speaking to reporters, the President emphasized the tactical advantage of moving beyond the current maritime strikes, stating, “The land is much easier, much easier.” This declaration signals a critical and high-risk new phase in the US campaign against the Maduro government, which Washington has designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO).
Transition from Sea to Land Operations
President Trump’s remarks indicate a strategic shift from the current focus of “Operation Southern Spear,” which has seen a major US military buildup—including an aircraft carrier strike group and over 15,000 personnel—in the Caribbean. This operation has so far primarily involved kinetic strikes on speedboats suspected of ferrying narcotics, resulting in dozens of reported deaths.
The announced transition to land operations suggests the US military intends to target cartel concentration points, such as factories, warehouses, and logistical nodes deep inside the country, and potentially military airfields or air defense systems that may attempt to oppose US strikes. The President claimed that the US has detailed intelligence on these targets: “We know the routes they take. We know everything about them. We know where they live. We know where the bad ones live.” This intelligence-driven approach aims to cripple the supply chain of cocaine and fentanyl flowing north.
An Ultimatum and Terror Designation
The threat of ground action follows a breakdown in direct talks between the two nations. President Trump had reportedly delivered an ultimatum to Maduro to step down in exchange for safe passage, an offer Maduro rejected, instead seeking broad amnesty for his regime. The subsequent escalation included:
* Airspace Closure: President Trump publicly ordered the airspace above and around Venezuela to be considered “closed in its entirety.”
* FTO Designation: The US officially designated the alleged Maduro-led “Cartel de los Soles” as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, providing the administration with broader legal authority for aggressive, kinetic action under the guise of counter-terrorism.
International Scrutiny and Regional Risk
While the President framed the impending land strikes as a continuation of the counter-narcotics mission, the political implications are immense. Experts caution that targeted strikes or special operations inside Venezuelan territory could be viewed internationally as a severe violation of sovereignty and a step toward explicit regime change.
The Pentagon, however, has confirmed it has a comprehensive contingency plan in place for the scenario of Maduro’s departure, demonstrating that the US is prepared to manage the consequences of its escalating pressure. The focus now turns to whether the Venezuelan government, which has vowed a “prolonged resistance” using guerrilla tactics and its armed militias, will be able to counter the US military’s declared shift to land-based operations.
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