Trump says he is not considering strikes within Venezuela

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump on Oct 31 denied he was considering strikes inside Venezuela, appearing to contradict his own comments from last week and amid intensifying expectations that Washington may soon expand drug-trafficking-related operations.

The United States has built up a large military presence in the Caribbean in recent months, with fighter jets, warships and thousands of troops. That presence will significantly expand in the coming weeks with the arrival of

the Gerald Ford aircraft carrier strike group.

On Oct 31, when asked by reporters on Air Force One if media reports that he was considering strikes within Venezuela were true, Mr Trump said: “No.”

It was not immediately clear if Mr Trump was ruling out future strikes inside Venezuela or simply saying no final decision had been made yet.

In recent weeks, Mr Trump has publicly said his administration will carry out strikes against drug-related targets inside Venezuela.

“The land is going to be next,” Mr Trump told reporters last week.

The US campaign in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific has already targeted at least 14 boats that Washington said were involved in the illegal drug trade, killing 61 people. Mr Trump has previously confirmed he has authorised the CIA to conduct covert operations in Venezuela.

While the exact timing of any land strikes is unclear, officials close to Mr Trump had suggested it could be soon.

Senator Lindsey Graham, a senior Republican lawmaker, on Oct 26 said Mr Trump had told him the administration planned to brief lawmakers on military operations against Venezuela and Colombia when he returned from his trip to Asia.

Mr Trump returned to Washington on Oct 30.

A US official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the military had provided a range of options, including strikes against military facilities inside Venezuela, such as runways.

Drug ties alleged

The Venezuelan opposition, watchdog groups and some Latin American neighbours have long accused the Venezuelan government - especially the military - of having ties to the drug trade, particularly in the country’s west, along the border with Colombia. President Nicolas Maduro’s government has always denied any criminal connections.

Mr Maduro has repeatedly alleged that the US is hoping to drive him from power.

The two main leaders of Venezuela’s opposition are increasingly divided over looming US actions targeting the country, even as a crackdown against opposition figures continues, politicians and analysts say.

Washington in August

doubled its reward

for information leading to Mr Maduro’s arrest to US$50 million, accusing him of links to drug trafficking and criminal groups.

Ongoing strikes against the alleged drug boats have raised alarm among some Democratic lawmakers who question whether they adhere to the laws of war. REUTERS