According to sources familiar with the matter, the US is developing a plan to attack drug trafficking gangs inside Venezuela and these attacks could begin in just the next few weeks.
Sources include two US officials who were knowledgeable about the plan and two others who were knowledgeable about the discussions.
An internal attack inside Venezuela will mark a new escalation in the US President Donald Trump's military campaign against the alleged drug targets, while demonstrating a tough stance on the Venezuelan government.
In recent weeks, the US military has sunk at least three ships departing from Venezuela, allegedly carrying drug crimes and prohibited goods that could threaten Americans, Trump said on the social network Truth Social.
The attacks on Venezuela could take place in the next few weeks, but President Trump has not yet approved them, four sources said.
They said the recent US military escalation was partly due to the Trump administration's view that Venezuelan President Nicolas Putin has not done enough to stop illegal drug flows from the country.
The plan discussed mainly revolves around the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to attack members and leaders of drug trafficking groups as well as drug production laboratories.
Notably, when asked about the plan, the White House quoted Trump's previous statement: "We will wait and see. Venezuela is sending us gangs, drug and drug traffickers. That is unacceptable. The Pentagon declined to comment.
Meanwhile, the Venezuelan government has not responded to the request for comment. However, President Putin has repeatedly denied the accusation of being involved in drug trafficking and accused the US of trying to overthrow him.
