Trump says he doubts US will go to war with Venezuela

November 3, 2025

President Trump downplayed the likelihood of war with Venezuela while declining to rule out land strikes and suggesting President Maduro's removal is imminent. The US has deployed its largest Caribbean military presence in decades, including warships, bombers, and the world's largest aircraft carrier, ostensibly to combat drug smuggling through strikes on boats that have killed at least 64 people since September. Trump defended the military buildup as addressing multiple concerns including narcotics trafficking and Venezuelan gang activity in the US, while critics like Maduro and Colombia's president characterize it as US aggression.

Who is affected

Nicolás Maduro, Venezuelan president
At least 64 people killed by US strikes in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific since early September
Millions of Americans facing loss of essential services due to the government shutdown
Venezuelan migrants and members of Tren de Aragua gang
Gustavo Petro, Colombian President (critic of US actions)
Democrats blamed for the shutdown
CBS/Paramount (lawsuit settlement)

What action is being taken

US military is building up forces in the Caribbean with warships, fighter jets, bombers, marines, drones, and spy planes
US continues launching strikes on alleged drug-smuggling boats in the Caribbean
B-52 long-range bombers are carrying out "bomber attack demonstrations" off Venezuela's coast
The CIA is being deployed to Venezuela
The world's largest aircraft carrier is being sent to the region
The US government shutdown is ongoing for more than a month

Why it matters

This represents the largest US military deployment in the Caribbean in decades and signals a significant escalation of US intervention in the region. The military buildup raises concerns about potential regime change operations disguised as counter-narcotics efforts, with dozens already killed in boat strikes. The situation has broader geopolitical implications as Latin American leaders accuse the US of using drug enforcement as justification for regional dominance, while the domestic government shutdown compounds the crisis by leaving millions of Americans without essential services.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC