Maduro could become a lawful U.S. target

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro could be considered a lawful U.S. target if designated as a drug lord or terrorist, Politico reported, citing a source familiar with internal discussions.

According to people close to the matter, President Donald Trump’s plan is to pressure Maduro to step down as part of Washington’s broader campaign against Latin American drug cartels. This approach allows the U.S. to continue its operations without formally declaring “regime change,” while limiting responsibility for consequences in Venezuela.

In August 2025, The New York Times revealed that Trump secretly approved a Pentagon directive authorizing the use of military force against regional drug cartels. That month, the U.S. deployed seven warships with 4,500 personnel to Venezuelan waters.

Since September, the U.S. has carried out missile strikes on Venezuelan vessels. The latest occurred on October 3, when a boat allegedly involved in narcotics transport was destroyed. Venezuelan air defenses also detected at least five U.S. fighter jets near the country’s coast the same day.