US President Donald Trump’s comments hinting at potential ground operations in Venezuela have deepened regional concerns and sparked fresh diplomatic tensions.

US President Donald Trump suggested that Washington may soon carry out ground operations targeting alleged drug trafficking networks in Venezuela, a remark that has stirred regional unease and intensified already strained relations between the two countries. Trump made the statement during a Thanksgiving teleconference with US military personnel, without offering operational details or a clear timeline.

Speaking from Florida, Trump said more than 20 vessels had been destroyed in the Caribbean and the Pacific since 1 September, claiming this had led to an “85 percent decrease” in maritime drug trafficking. He argued that traffickers were shifting away from sea routes and announced that land-based operations would “begin very soon,” describing them as “easier” and “more effective.”

He justified the possible expansion by saying drug traffickers “send their poison into the United States, killing thousands of people each year.”However, regional analysts say Washington has long used anti-narcotics operations as a pretext to justify increased military presence in Latin America, deepening anti-US sentiment and political polarization.

The United States deployed its largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, to the Caribbean on 16 November, accompanied by five destroyers and two guided-missile cruisers. The deployment is considered the most significant US naval buildup in the region in decades. While Washington describes the mission as part of counter-narcotics operations, experts argue that it also serves as a show of force aimed directly at the Venezuelan government.

Relations between the two countries have deteriorated further after Washington designated the so-called “Cartel of the Suns” as a terrorist organization, linking it to President Nicolás Maduro and senior Venezuelan military officials. The designation allows the US to impose additional sanctions and target financial networks, though the cartel’s existence remains disputed.

Venezuelan officials condemned the US stance, with President Maduro ordering the country’s air force to remain “alert and ready” in the face of what he described as growing threats. During a military event in Maracay, Venezuelan forces conducted interception drills broadcast on state television.

Experts across Latin America warn that any US military incursion—especially one involving ground forces—would further destabilize the region and escalate political tensions. They emphasize that Washington’s unilateral approach and aggressive rhetoric risk deepening instability rather than addressing drug trafficking concerns. (ILKHA)