US President Donald Trump said on Friday that his administration is not considering military strikes inside Venezuela, amid rising regional tensions over US operations targeting drug networks in the Caribbean. When asked by reporters if such action was being weighed, Trump responded briefly, “No.”

His remarks come weeks after a series of US air and maritime operations destroyed several suspected drug-smuggling vessels near Venezuelan waters, prompting speculation that Washington might extend its campaign to targets inside the country.

Trump had earlier suggested that the United States was “looking at” land-based options following maritime strikes, and reports indicated that the CIA had been authorised to conduct covert operations within Venezuela.

LARGE US DEPLOYMENT IN CARRIBBEAN

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