Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has reiterated the importance of peace in South America as reports indicate that U.S. President Donald Trump is contemplating military operations in Venezuela. This development coincides with an increase in U.S. military presence near Venezuela's coast, including the deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier.

Since early September, U.S. military strikes targeting alleged drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific have reportedly resulted in at least 80 fatalities. U.S. officials assert that these operations are aimed at intercepting boats transporting drugs to the United States. However, critics argue that this military campaign may contravene international law and could further undermine the U.S.'s standing globally, suggesting that it serves as a mechanism to pressure Maduro to relinquish power. The U.S. has also offered a $50 million reward for information leading to Maduro's arrest, who faces narcoterrorism charges in the U.S.

In a recent interview, Maduro expressed a desire to end "endless wars" and "unjust wars," referencing conflicts in Libya and Afghanistan. He has consistently called for peace while asserting Venezuela's preparedness to respond to any U.S. aggression. The U.S. Southern Command has initiated Operation Southern Spear, which is described as a campaign against what it labels "narcoterrorists" in the region.

Reports suggest that Trump has been briefed on various military options concerning Venezuela, although a full-scale invasion is considered unlikely due to potential repercussions and the historical context of U.S. interventions. Despite bipartisan calls for transparency regarding the rationale behind military actions, the Senate has not imposed checks on the administration's operations.

In response to perceived threats, Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López has mobilized 200,000 soldiers across the country. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom has reportedly decided to limit intelligence-sharing with the U.S. Department of Defense regarding suspected drug-traffickers' vessels in the Caribbean, viewed as a symbolic act of resistance against the U.S. military's recent airstrikes, which have faced widespread condemnation as illegal extrajudicial killings.

The potential escalation of U.S. military involvement in Venezuela raises concerns about adherence to international law, particularly as foreign-imposed regime change typically requires United Nations sanction or justification as self-defense. Critics of Trump's approach argue that it lacks a coherent strategy for post-conflict governance, echoing past failures in U.S. foreign interventions. The situation continues to evolve as both nations navigate the complexities of military engagement and diplomatic relations.