Trump Denies US B-1 Bomber Flights Near Venezuela Amid Counter-Narcotics Efforts

Recent reports indicate that U.S. Air Force B-1 bombers flew near Venezuela's coast as part of a broader military campaign targeting drug trafficking, escalating regional tensions and raising fears in Caracas of a potential regime change. Despite flight tracking data and confirmation from senior U.S. officials, President Donald Trump has repeatedly denied these bomber flights occurred, calling such reports "false" or "not accurate," while affirming the U.S. is "not happy with Venezuela" for various reasons, including drug trafficking and prisoner issues. The U.S. military describes its actions, including recent lethal strikes on suspected narcotics vessels and previous B-52 bomber flights, as efforts to deter adversary threats, enhance readiness, and combat narcotics smuggling, but has yet to publicly provide evidence of drug trafficking by targeted vessels. Venezuela has accused the U.S. of attempting to overthrow President Nicolás Maduro, who claims his country is prepared with Russian surface-to-air missiles to counter U.S. forces. The Trump administration continues to apply diplomatic, military, and economic pressure on Venezuela amid ongoing political and humanitarian crises, while maintaining caution against wider military escalation. These developments highlight the fragile state of U.S.-Venezuela relations, with the U.S. emphasizing counter-narcotics as a justification for military activity in the region.