Trump signals possible ground operation in Venezuela as tensions simmer “I don’t rule out that”

US President Donald Trump has raised the possibility of conducting a ground military operation in Venezuela, Caliber.Az reports via Reuters.

Asked if he would rule out US troops on the ground in the South American country, Trump said: "No, I don't rule out that, I don't rule out anything."

Trump expressed a willingness to directly hear Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro’s proposals to avert further US military escalation.

On November 14, the Pentagon announced the start of Operation Southern Spear in the Western Hemisphere, and President Trump said he had “seemingly made a decision” on further steps regarding Venezuela—but did not disclose what that decision was.

Afterwards, Maduro appealed to US citizens not to trigger war in the Caribbean basin. He called a potential armed conflict a “tragedy” for all of America and expressed the opinion that Washington's actions were directed against “all of humanity.”

A few days later, it became known that the United States was ready to deploy its ground forces in Venezuela if necessary.

For the record, the US has been waging a campaign of deadly strikes against suspected drug trafficking boats off the Venezuelan coast and the Pacific coast of Latin America.

Maduro has repeatedly alleged that a US military buildup in the Caribbean is designed to drive him from power.

Taken as a whole, Trump's comments suggest he is willing to dramatically escalate his administration's confrontation with Venezuela, even as he is open to seeking an off-ramp if presented with an interesting enough proposal from the Venezuelan government.

The US president also said he would like to knock out cocaine factories in Colombia, while stopping short of announcing any direct military intervention there.

By Khagan Isayev