(Substack)—Reports indicate that the Trump administration is actively developing plans for targeted military actions against drug operations within Venezuela. According to sources familiar with the matter, these operations could involve drone strikes aimed at cartel leaders, members, and production facilities, potentially starting within weeks. While the president has not yet given final approval, the move aligns with a broader push to dismantle networks flooding the United States with illegal narcotics.

This development builds on President Trump’s longstanding stance against Nicolás Maduro’s regime. During his address to the United Nations, Trump declared, “MS-13 and Tren de Aragua. Tren de Aragua is from Venezuela, by the way. Such organizations torture, maim, mutilate and murder with impunity. They’re the enemies of all humanity. For this reason, we’ve recently begun using the supreme power of the United States military to destroy Venezuelan terrorists and trafficking networks led by Nicolas Maduro to every terrorist thug smuggling poisonous drugs into the United States of America.”

President Trump linked Maduro’s government to criminal enterprises that have spread violence across borders. Tren de Aragua, in particular, has emerged as a major concern, with FBI assessments suggesting that Venezuelan officials may be leveraging the gang as proxies to destabilize U.S. public safety. This connection implies that Maduro’s influence extends beyond Venezuela’s borders, enabling the export of chaos and drugs that harm American communities.

The administration’s actions have escalated accordingly. In August, Trump issued a classified directive empowering the military to engage drug smugglers more aggressively. Since then, U.S. forces have sunk at least four vessels suspected of carrying narcotics from Venezuela, demonstrating a willingness to use lethal force in international waters. These incidents mark a shift from previous policies, prioritizing direct confrontation over empty threats.

Further intensifying the pressure, the U.S. government doubled the reward for information leading to Maduro’s arrest or conviction to $50 million earlier this year. This substantial bounty serves as a clear message that the regime’s leader is viewed not just as a political adversary but as a criminal kingpin facilitating the drug trade. Combined with the terrorist designation of Tren de Aragua, it positions Maduro’s network as a direct threat to national security.

A significant military buildup in the Caribbean supports these efforts. Over the past two months, the U.S. has deployed warships, including destroyers and other assets, to the region, ostensibly to curb trafficking but also to exert leverage on Caracas. With around 4,500 personnel involved, this presence has prompted responses from Venezuela, including military drills showcasing Russian-supplied jets. Maduro’s alliances with Moscow and Beijing add another layer of concern, as they challenge U.S. interests in the Western Hemisphere and contradict the inward-focused priorities of the latest National Defense Strategy, which emphasizes protecting the homeland from external influences.

Venezuela’s response has included threats of emergency powers and heightened readiness, signaling that the regime feels cornered. Yet, these maneuvers only reinforce the need for decisive action against a government that has allowed cartels to thrive while cozying up to adversarial powers. As the drug crisis continues to claim lives in the U.S., targeting the source in Venezuela represents a practical step toward restoring order and security in the region.