Growing Tensions Between the United States and Venezuela
12/01/2025
Samuel Clifford
In early November 2025, the United States intensified its presence in the Caribbean as the Southern Command increased naval deployments, framing the move as part of anti-narcotics and security operations. Southern Command is in charge of everything the U.S. military does in Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. Venezuela interpreted these actions as a direct threat to its sovereignty. Around the same time, reports surfaced of U.S. strikes on alleged drug-smuggling boats. The controversy deepened when allegations emerged that a second strike had been ordered to ensure no survivors, raising accusations of possible war crimes under the Geneva Conventions. The White House confirmed multiple strikes occurred but disputed who ordered them. President Donald Trump has stated he “wouldn’t have wanted” a second strike but expressed confidence in the U.S. commanders. Lawmakers from both parties, including Senator Tim Kaine, warned that such actions could violate U.S. and international law, prompting Senate Armed Services leaders to seek audio and video evidence of the strikes.
Donald Trump has accused Venezuela’s government under Nicolás Maduro of being deeply corrupt, both economically and through ties to drug trafficking, and has framed these allegations as justification for preparing military strikes. Trump has repeatedly pointed to the Cartel de los Soles, a network of Venezuelan military and political figures that U.S. officials allege is involved in large-scale cocaine trafficking, as evidence that Maduro’s regime operates like a “narco-state.”
On November 21, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro held a brief call with President Donald J. Trump. Trump confirmed the call took place but rejected Maduro’s requests for relief, leaving Maduro with few options to negotiate an exit and signaling a hardening of U.S. policy.
By November 29, tensions escalated further when Trump issued a warning to avoid Venezuelan airspace, declaring it “closed in its entirety.” This announcement fueled speculation that U.S. military strikes on Venezuela might be imminent. In the days that followed, the United States deployed the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford and additional warships to the region under “Operation Southern Spear,” intensifying pressure on Maduro’s government. Trump convened meetings with his national security team in the Oval Office to discuss next steps in Venezuela.
Above is a screenshot taken directly from Truth Social of Donald Trump's Announcement on 11/29/2025. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) | Truth Social
The escalation quickly produced political and diplomatic fallout. Venezuela’s foreign ministry announced changes to deportation flights carrying unlawful migrants back from the United States, ending a fragile point of cooperation between the two governments. The halt came amid Trump’s rhetoric urging Maduro to flee Venezuela and framing the campaign as part of a broader fight against “narco-terrorism.” Critics of intervention warned that U.S. actions undermined cooperation and risked worsening the humanitarian situation, while Caracas condemned the moves as violations of sovereignty.
At the regional level, Maduro faced additional setbacks. He lost an important ally in St. Vincent and the Grenadines after elections brought in a government less sympathetic to Venezuela. In response, he sought to strengthen ties with Cuba, Nicaragua, and some Caribbean states, attempting to build a coalition against U.S. influence. While certain governments echoed Venezuela’s warnings about U.S. interference, others adopted a more cautious stance or aligned more closely with Washington.
By early December, the growing tension had reached the U.S. Congress. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer announced plans to file a bipartisan war powers resolution to block Trump from ordering military strikes against Venezuela. Schumer emphasized that Congress alone holds the constitutional authority to declare war, underscoring the domestic political battle over the administration’s escalating campaign. It is true that under Article I of the Constitution, Congress holds the sole authority to declare war, a point Schumer has emphasized in his criticism of recent executive actions. However, the president, as Commander-in-Chief, retains the power to deploy U.S. forces and initiate limited military operations without prior congressional approval, often justified as necessary to protect national interests or respond to emergencies. In this case, President Trump argues that ending the corruption and drug trafficking of Venezuela under Maduro is a national interest. Under the War Powers Resolution of1973 any deployment into hostilities without congressional authorization be limited to 60 days, with an additional 30 days allowed for withdrawal.
To the right is a screenshot from Chuck Schumer's X account on December 1, 2025. https://x.com/SenSchumer/status/1995684765899342231?s=20
The resolution faces an uphill battle to pass and likely will not. While it has democrat sponsors and momentum after Trump’s escalation toward Venezuela, Senate Republicans are largely opposed, making passage uncertain and unlikely. It could clear the Senate with some crossover votes, but its ultimate success depends on whether enough Republicans break ranks to assert congressional war powers.
Venezuela’s military, under President Nicolás Maduro, is reportedly preparing for a guerrilla-style resistance if the United States attempts an invasion. The plan emphasizes irregular warfare, mobilizing militias, and leveraging Venezuela’s terrain to prolong conflict rather than relying solely on conventional defense. This strategy reflects Caracas’s intent to deter intervention by making any potential conflict costly and protracted.
Conclusion
Together, these developments illustrate the rapid rise in tensions between the United States and Venezuela. What began with naval deployments and controversial boat strikes evolved into direct threats, military buildups, diplomatic ruptures, and congressional pushback. With Venezuela signaling preparations for irregular resistance and Washington maintaining pressure, the future of U.S.–Venezuela relations remain uncertain and fraught with the potential for prolonged confrontation. Today, President Trump is scheduled to meet with his national security team to review the situation in Venezuela. The meeting could signal preparations for new military or diplomatic measures, underscoring how quickly the crisis is moving from rhetoric to potential action.
Updates:
December 3, 2025: U.S. deportation flights to Venezuela resumed today after Caracas approved an Immigration and Customs Enforcement request, despite President Donald Trump’s recent warning that Venezuelan airspace should be treated as closed amid threats of a U.S. strike. The approval marked a rare instance of cooperation between the Trump administration and Venezuelan authorities during heightened tensions. According to Venezuela’s foreign minister, an Eastern Airlines flight carrying 379 deportees landed at Simón Bolívar International Airport near Caracas.
Dececember 10, 2025: The United States seized a Venezuelan oil tanker in what officials described as the largest operation of its kind. Armed teams from the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Coast Guard boarded the vessel off Venezuela’s coast, alleging it was part of an illicit oil network tied to Iran and Venezuela. President Donald Trump confirmed the seizure, remarking that the U.S. would keep the oil, a move that escalates tensions with Nicolás Maduro’s government and raises concerns about potential retaliation.
The seizure immediately impacted global markets, with Brent crude rising to $62.48 per barrel and U.S. West Texas Intermediate climbing to $58.79. Analysts noted that the action underscores Washington’s ongoing campaign to disrupt Venezuela’s oil exports, which are a critical source of revenue for Maduro’s regime. The incident highlights both the geopolitical risks in the region and the economic ripple effects of U.S. enforcement actions.
Sources
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