Trump says he is not considering strikes inside Venezuela

President Trump said Friday that he is not considering strikes inside Venezuela after reports that his administration had identified potential military targets inside the country.

Trump was asked aboard Air Force One while on his way to Florida about those reports and whether he had made up his mind about potential strikes.

Trump replied: “No. That’s not true.”

The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday that the Trump administration has identified military facilities in Venezuela used for drug trafficking as potential targets for strikes. The news agency said that Trump has not made a final decision about carrying out strikes inside Venezuela.

Trump and his administration have taken an increasingly aggressive approach toward Venezuela in recent weeks, raising questions about potential conflict.

The Pentagon said last week that it would send the world’s largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, and its carrier air wing to the Caribbean. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has launched strikes against boats it says are smuggling illegal drugs in the region, killing dozens of people in the process.

Also last week, two B-1 Lancer bombers left Dyess Air Force Base in Texas and flew near the coast of Venezuela, according to flight tracking data. Trump called news reports about the presence of B-1 bombers “false,” but added: “We are not happy with Venezuela for many reasons. Drugs are one of them.”