US President Donald Trump has denied authorizing any military strikes inside Venezuela, contradicting media reports that suggested otherwise.
When asked by reporters on Air Force One on Friday if he had made up his mind on the matter, Trump simply replied, “no,” according to a Bloomberg report.
Since early September, the Trump administration has carried out at least 14 strikes on small boats in the Caribbean and Pacific, killing dozens, in what it describes as targeted actions against drug smugglers.
Earlier, the Miami Herald reported that the Trump administration had decided to target Venezuelan military installations, with strikes potentially at risk.
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Responding to the report, White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said “the unnamed sources don’t know what they’re talking about” and stressed that any official announcement would come directly from Trump.
Last week, Trump said “the country will be next” after a series of attacks since mid-September on alleged drug-trafficking ships in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific, Bloomberg reported.
The US has also deployed guided-missile destroyers as part of its border security operations, in addition to the aircraft used in the attacks.
Last week, the administration said it was sending a naval strike group, including an aircraft carrier, to Latin America. Administration officials have characterized the campaign as a drug operation and say the Maduro regime is facilitating human trafficking.
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Political crisis in Venezuela
Politicians and analysts say Venezuela’s two main opposition leaders are increasingly divided over potential US action against the country, even as the government continues to crack down on opposition figures. This was reported by the Reuters agency.
Maduro, who faces US drug-trafficking and corruption charges he denies, has accused Trump of trying to orchestrate regime change.
Supporters of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro attend a rally against US military activity in the Caribbean in Caracas on October 30, 2025. A US guided-missile destroyer docked in Trinidad and Tobago for four days, within range of mainland Venezuela – which described its presence as a “planned provocation” – left the FP on Thursday. (Photo by Federico PARRA / AFP)
He claimed that the Venezuelan people and armed forces would resist any effort to remove him from power.
Maduro was sworn in for a third term earlier this year, despite official vote counts suggesting an opposition candidate had won the 2024 election by a landslide.
Machado’s adviser Magalli Meda says the opposition remains united under the eight-party Unitary Platform, which backed both Maria Corina Machado and her replacement in the 2024 presidential election after a court barred her from running.
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Meanwhile, a politician linked to the ruling party revealed this week that he has submitted to the court a list of 20 people he wants to strip of citizenship, including Machado, Reuters reported.
A Panterra poll conducted in August showed that 70% of Venezuelans oppose the ruling party. Among respondents, 60% supported US support for Machado’s leadership, while only 16% favored resuming negotiations with Maduro.
(With input from agencies)
