Trump says US will soon take action against Venezuelan drug traffickers on land

The US has been weighing action on what it portrays as President Maduro’s role in supplying illegal drugs that have killed Americans

US President Donald Trump speaks with members of the media following a call with military service members, on Thanksgiving, in Palm Beach, Florida, US, Nov 27, 2025. REUTERS/Anna Rose Layden

The US will "very soon" start taking action to stop suspected Venezuelan drug traffickers on land, US President Donald Trump said on Thursday.

"You probably noticed that people aren't wanting to be delivering by sea, and we'll be starting to stop them by land also. The land is easier, but that's going to start very soon," Trump said, speaking virtually with US military service members.

The Venezuelan communications ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Trump administration has been weighing Venezuela-related options to combat what it has portrayed as President Nicolas Maduro's role in supplying illegal drugs that have killed Americans. Maduro has denied having any links to the illegal drug trade.

US forces in the region so far have focused on counter-narcotics operations, even though the assembled firepower far outweighs anything needed for them. US troops have carried out at least 21 strikes on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean and Pacific since September, killing at least 83 people.

Reports of looming action have proliferated in recent weeks as the US military has deployed forces to the Caribbean amid worsening relations with Venezuela.

Reuters, citing four US officials, reported on Saturday that the US was poised to launch a new phase of Venezuela-related operations.