US army officials are exploring options to target drug traffickers inside Venezuela and conduct airstrikes within the South American country “in a matter of weeks".

According to NBC News , who first reported the development, US President Donald Trump “has not approved anything yet". Officials told the broadcaster that the reason behind US’ military escalation is because Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, according to the Trump administration, is “not doing enough to stop the flow of illegal drugs out of his country".

Trump has deployed eight warships and a nuclear-powered submarine to the southern Caribbean as part of a stated plan to combat drug trafficking.

US forces have destroyed at least three suspected drug boats in the Caribbean in recent weeks, killing over a dozen people in

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