President Trump defends strikes against the alleged drug vessels in the Caribbean and suggests the U.S. may strike land targets in Venezuela "very soon."
"I think you're going to find that this is war… very soon we're going to start doing it on land, too.' pic.twitter.com/lCzy3eujK0
— The American Conservative (@amconmag) December 3, 2025
President Nicolás Maduro of Venezuela has tightened his personal security, including changing beds, and leaned on Cuba, a key ally, amid a growing threat of a U.S. military intervention in the country, according to multiple people close to the Venezuelan government.
They described an atmosphere of tension and concern gripping the president’s inner circle while adding that Mr. Maduro believed he remained in control and could ride out the latest and gravest threat to his 12-year rule.
Mr. Maduro has tried to protect himself from a potential precision strike or a special-forces raid by frequently changing sleeping locations and cellphones, the people said. Those precautions have accelerated since September, some of the people said, when the United States started amassing warships and striking boats the Trump administration claims were smuggling drugs from Venezuela.