Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has reiterated the importance of peace in South America as reports emerge of increased U.S. military operations near Venezuela's coast. This escalation includes the deployment of significant naval resources, such as the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier. Since early September, U.S. 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, while critics contend that such military actions may violate international law and could further undermine the U.S.'s global standing. There are concerns that these operations are intended to pressure Maduro to relinquish power, especially given the U.S. government's offer of a $50 million reward for information leading to his arrest on narcoterrorism charges.

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

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

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 concerning suspected drug-traffickers' vessels in the Caribbean, a move seen 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 significant concerns regarding the legality and morality of foreign-imposed regime change, which typically contravenes international law unless sanctioned by the United Nations or justified as self-defense. Critics argue that the current approach lacks a coherent strategy for post-conflict governance, echoing past failures in U.S. foreign interventions. The broader geopolitical climate, characterized by heightened militarism and state aggression, poses substantial risks to international stability and security.