U.S. Still Undecided on Ground Attack in Venezuela as Trump Considers Diplomatic Opening: Report

The United States has not yet decided whether to launch a ground attack in Venezuela, according to a White House official and a senior U.S. official cited by CNN, as President Donald Trump signaled there may still be room for diplomatic discussions.

The development comes as the U.S. continues its military buildup in the Caribbean, including the deployment of the Navy's most advanced aircraft carrier and roughly 15,000 personnel.

U.S. officials told CNN that Trump hopes the show of force will pressure Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro to step aside without requiring a direct military operation. Trump has reviewed military options for three consecutive days, ranging from targeted strikes on government or military facilities to special operations raids. The option of taking no action, however, remains under consideration.

Trump has privately raised concerns about the risks to U.S. troops and the likelihood of success, the officials said. He is also aware of criticism from political allies who argue he is focusing too heavily on foreign affairs at the expense of domestic issues.

It is unclear what signals, if any, the administration has received that Maduro is open to renewed diplomacy after previously halting back-channel discussions due to frustration that the Venezuelan leader would not voluntarily step down.

Trump acknowledged during the weekend that he could hold discussions with Maduro. Speaking before boarding Air Force One in Florida, he stated that, "we may be having some discussions with Maduro, and we'll see how that turns out," adding that the Venezuelan government "would like to talk."

His remarks came the same day the USS Gerald R. Ford strike group entered the Caribbean as part of a broader military posture that the administration says is designed to combat drug trafficking. U.S. forces have conducted 21 strikes on suspected trafficking vessels, killing at least 83 people since early September, according to U.S. Southern Command.

Maduro responded on his weekly television program, saying that " anyone who wants to talk with Venezuela can do so, face to face." He added, "Call, yes; peace, yes. War, no. Never, never war," and accused U.S. officials of attempting to push Trump toward "his political end" by encouraging military escalation. Venezuelan officials have also mobilized 200,000 troops for military exercises, claiming the U.S. presence is a prelude to an attempted overthrow.

The Trump administration is preparing to designate the Cartel de los Soles, which it says is headed by Maduro and senior members of his government, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. Officials say the designation could widen the legal basis for additional U.S. action as tensions continue to escalate.