"Trump still favors a negotiated exit for Maduro and plans to speak privately with the Venezuelan dictator, a U.S.-branded "narcoterrorist" with a Justice Department bounty on his head. But Trump - whom a U.S. official described as the administration's biggest hawk on this issue - also has authorized CIA covert operations inside Venezuela and reserved the option to order land strikes at any time."
"Driving the news: "If we can save lives, if we can do things the easy way, that's fine. And if we have to do it the hard way, that's fine too," Trump told reporters Tuesday when asked why he wants to speak to Maduro. "They've caused a lot of problems. They've sent millions of people into our country," he added, accusing Venezuela of facilitating the migration of gangs like Tren de Aragua."
"Between the lines: The notion of deposing Maduro by force dates back to Trump's first term, yet appears to be deeply unpopular: 70% of Americans say they'd oppose military action in Venezuela, according to a CBS News poll. MAGA activists are similarly uneasy - supportive of Trump's crackdown on drug trafficking but wary of mission creep and the potential chaos of a new foreign conflict. For Tucker Carlson and the right's ascendant isolationists, the Venezuela brinkmanship offers a ripe opportunity to hammer "neocons" they accuse of betraying "America First" principles."
U.S. warships and aircraft in the Caribbean are conducting operations to destroy alleged drug boats while increasing pressure on Nicolás Maduro. The president prefers a negotiated removal and seeks private talks with Maduro, even as the administration labels him a "narcoterrorist" with a Justice Department bounty. The White House has authorized CIA covert actions inside Venezuela and kept the option of land strikes. Public opposition to military intervention is high, and Republican supporters express mixed feelings: backing drug interdiction but fearing mission creep. Right-wing isolationists use the standoff to target interventionist critics.
Read at Axios
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