President Donald Trump said Monday he will not rule out sending U.S. ground troops into Venezuela as Washington intensifies its military posture in the Caribbean.
The U.S. has deployed the USS Gerald R. Ford, the world’s most advanced aircraft carrier, along with roughly 15,000 troops, F-35 jets and expanded naval patrols.
PRESIDENT TRUMP says he's not ruling out troops on the ground in Venezuela: "I don't rule out anything. We just have to take care of Venezuela." pic.twitter.com/aQuzFNUMUf
— Fox News (@FoxNews) November 17, 2025
The buildup follows the administration’s decision to label the Venezuelan network “Cartel de los Soles” a foreign terrorist organization, a move Trump says could justify targeting infrastructure inside Venezuela.
The escalating U.S. presence has unsettled nearby Puerto Rico, where residents described the deployment as a “near blockade.”
Others welcome the economic boost from service members stationed on the island. American strikes on alleged drug-smuggling boats have intensified, with 22 vessels hit and 83 people killed since September.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro responded by urging diplomacy and even sang John Lennon’s “Imagine,” calling on Washington to “give peace a chance.”
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TIPP Staff
