U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that he is considering military strikes inside Venezuela aimed at drug cartels, following a series of American air raids on smuggling boats off the Venezuelan coast.

Speaking at a White House press conference, Trump stated that the administration is currently “reviewing options for potential strikes” against targets inside Venezuela, adding that the United States has “good control over the seas” in the Caribbean.

The remarks come as the U.S. has boosted its military presence in the Caribbean, with guided-missile destroyers — including the USS Sampson (DDG-102) — spotted near the entrance to the Panama Canal amid heightened naval operations in the region.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro denounced the American military buildup, describing it as “a deliberate attempt to destabilize and overthrow” his government, and accusing Washington of fabricating pretexts for intervention.

Trump declined to confirm or deny a New York Times report claiming he had secretly authorized the CIA to conduct covert operations against Maduro’s government, responding curtly:

“That’s a ridiculous question. Not totally ridiculous, but it would be ridiculous to answer it.”

The situation adds to growing tensions between Washington and Caracas, as both sides trade accusations over organized crime and regional security.