Top Trump Officials Intensify Efforts to Oust Venezuela's Maduro Amid Regional Tensions

Top officials in President Trump's administration, led by Secretary of State and National Security Advisor Marco Rubio, are intensifying efforts to remove Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, citing Maduro as an illegitimate leader involved in drug trafficking that poses an imminent threat to the U.S. This push has the backing of CIA Director John Ratcliffe and White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, with plans including increased military pressure and potential strikes within Venezuela targeting drug cartels. The Pentagon has deployed over 6,500 troops to the region and has conducted lethal strikes on vessels alleged to be smuggling drugs, actions that have resulted in at least 17 deaths and sparked legal scrutiny. Venezuelan opposition figures support the use of force to dismantle Maduro's regime, while Maduro's government warns that war would cause regional destabilization through migration and economic collapse. Although the White House has yet to approve direct military operations inside Venezuela, President Trump has indicated consideration of strikes against land-based cartels. In response, Maduro has signed a decree granting himself additional security powers to counter any potential U.S. military incursion.