Washington [US], November 1: President Donald Trump on Friday 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 Friday, when asked by reporters on Air Force One if media reports that he was considering strikes within Venezuela were true, Trump said: "No."
It was not immediately clear if Trump was ruling out future strikes inside Venezuela or simply saying no final decision had been made yet.
In recent weeks, Trump has publicly said his administration will carry out strikes against drug-related targets inside Venezuela.
"The land is going to be next," Trump told reporters last week.
The U.S. 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. Trump has previously confirmed he has authorized the CIA to conduct covert operations in Venezuela.
Source: Fijian Broadcasting Corporation
