-Reasons for the U.S. airstrike claims: Since late 2025, the U.S. (Trump administration) has accused Venezuela of "narco-terrorism," striking dozens of boats in the Caribbean and Pacific, seizing oil tankers, and imposing a blockade. In December 2025, the CIA conducted a drone attack on a port in Venezuelan territory (claimed to target drug cartels) — this was seen as the U.S.'s first strike on a land target.
-Drug Trafficking Accusation: The U.S. accuses the Maduro government of running a narco-network called "Cartel de los Soles" and justifies the operations as efforts to stop fentanyl/cocaine trafficking.
-Oil and Regime Change Claims: The Venezuelan side and some analysts argue that the real purpose of these attacks is to control Venezuela's largest oil reserves in the world and to overthrow Maduro.
-The USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier is deployed off the coast of Caracas, MQ-9 Reaper drones are active, and there are statements from Trump about "striking land targets."
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