U.S. President Donald Trump intensified tensions by declaring that Washington is “at war” with drug cartels in Venezuela, signaling that American forces could soon conduct ground strikes inside the country amid a widening military buildup in the Caribbean.

The standoff between the United States and Venezuela reached a new level after President Donald Trump openly threatened ground operations against what he called “drug cartel networks” inside Venezuelan territory. Speaking at the White House, Trump insisted that his administration had broad support for expanding the military campaign beyond maritime operations, accusing alleged drug traffickers of “killing Americans by the millions.”

“This is war, and you will see it,” Trump said. “Very soon we’re going to start doing it on land too. We know every route, and every house where they manufacture this poison,” he added.

His remarks come as U.S. naval and air deployments continue to grow across the Caribbean Sea, Central America and parts of the Pacific Ocean. American forces have reportedly carried out dozens of strikes against vessels accused of transporting narcotics, with more than 80 people killed since September, according to international media reports.

Legal experts warn that Trump’s threats represent a significant escalation that could bypass the War Powers Resolution, which requires congressional approval for any military action lasting longer than 60 days. Analysts say that striking Venezuelan territory — especially targets linked to the government of President Nicolás Maduro — would stretch the legal boundaries of U.S. military engagement and risk violating international law.

Washington has recently intensified efforts to portray the Maduro administration as a “cartel state,” a classification that critics describe as both dangerous and unfounded. By labeling the Venezuelan government as a criminal organization, analysts argue that the U.S. is attempting to create a legal and political pretext for direct intervention.

Venezuelan officials have dismissed the accusations as fabricated, accusing Washington of seeking regime change through military intimidation after years of economic sanctions failed to topple the government. Caracas warned that any attack on its territory would be met with resistance and could plunge the region into instability.

Regional observers caution that a U.S. ground operation — even a limited one — could trigger unpredictable consequences, including broader conflict and heightened geopolitical tensions. Despite these warnings, Trump continues to signal his willingness to escalate, claiming that American operations will expand both at sea and on land in the near future.

As military deployments intensify and rhetoric hardens, concerns grow that the confrontation may soon move beyond threats and into direct military action, pushing the region toward one of its most volatile periods in recent years. (ILKHA)