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By Khaleda Rahman
National Correspondent
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President Donald Trump has said he would consider expanding his military campaign against drugs targets in countries such as Mexico and Colombia.
Since September, Trump has authorized several strikes in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean on small Venezuelan boats accused of ferrying drugs, as well as a large buildup of U.S. naval forces in the region.
In an interview with Politico's Dasha Burns, Trump was asked if he would consider expanding strikes against targets in other countries with high drugs trade activity, such as Mexico and Colombia.
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"Sure, I would," he said.
Newsweek has contacted the White House for comment via email.
Why It Matters
The Trump administration says the military has killed at least 87 people in 22 known strikes in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean since early September, The Associated Press reported. Trump has justified the attacks as a necessary escalation to stem the flow of drugs into the United States, saying the U.S. is engaged in an "armed conflict" with drug cartels.
Expanding strikes to targets in other countries risks harming diplomatic relations with those countries, provoking political backlash and shifting U.S. drug policy toward far more aggressive actions.
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What To Know
The expanded U.S. military presence near Venezuela has fueled speculation about how those forces could be employed.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has insisted the real purpose of the military operations is to force him from office.
In the interview with Burns, Trump refused to rule out putting American boots on the ground in Venezuela to bring about the end of Maduro’s regime.
“I don’t want to rule in or out. I don’t talk about it,” he said about a possible ground invasion, adding that he didn’t want to speak with the outlet about military strategy.
Trump declined to say if he wanted to force Maduro from office, but said his “days are numbered.”
Asked about his goal in Venezuela, Trump said he wanted the people of Venezuela “to be treated well,” adding: “I want the people of Venezuela, many of whom live in the United States, to be respected.”
Trump recently warned that "any" country producing drugs could face U.S. military strikes, prompting a response from Colombia's President Gustavo Petro. Petro invited Trump to visit the country to participate "in the destruction of the 9 laboratories we do daily to prevent cocaine from reaching the US."
Meanwhile, Republican and Democratic lawmakers have urged Trump to seek war powers authority from Congress for operations against alleged drug traffickers.
Last week, Democrats Tim Kaine of Virginia, Chuck Schumer of New York and Adam Schiff of California and Republican Rand Paul of Kentucky filed a resolution to force a congressional vote on the issue if the administration carries out a strike within Venezuela. It came after Trump said strikes on land would be taking place “very soon.”
What People Are Saying
U.S. President Donald Trump said in an interview with Politico: "Those boats come in largely from Venezuela… They send really, really bad people into our country and they've done it better than anybody else. They emptied their prisons into our country and these prisoners are seriously tough."
Republican Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky said in a statement last week: “The American people do not want to be dragged into endless war with Venezuela without public debate or a vote. We ought to defend what the Constitution demands: deliberation before war.”
Costas Panagopoulos, a professor of political science at Northeastern University, told Newsweek: "Americans have limited appetites for military conflicts. Extended conflicts could backfire on Trump, especially if there is domestic resistance, meaningful retaliation or if service members are killed.
"My sense is that Americans would rather see Trump focus on lowering prices and affordability. Anything short of this could be viewed as a disconnect or as a distraction and could cement the narrative that Trump is unable to deliver on the top issue voters elected him to address.
"Military conflicts often don't go as planned, spirally out of control in unanticipated or unintended ways, and could spell disaster for any administration that fails to manage them effectively. It's a real risk for any president, let alone someone with historically low levels of public approval."
Grant Davis Reeher, a professor of political science at Syracuse University, told Newsweek: "Firing on Venezuelan boats supposed to be captained by drug runners headed to the U.S. is one thing, but floating ideas about sending troops into Venezuela itself is entirely another. Such a move will cause real rifts within the party.
He added: "I’d be surprised if we actually see troops in Venezuela, and if that happens, I’d expect you’d see a stiff reaction in Congress that would draw in some Republicans. Armed conflicts can often make presidents more popular—traditionally, there is a rally-round-the-flag reaction, which translates to rally-round-the-president, as commander-in-chief. George W. Bush’s ratings shot up after 9/11, but again, this is no 9/11. And I don’t think that is where the country’s mood is at presently."
What Happens Next
Trump has threatened to expand the strikes to any countries producing drugs, but it remains to be seen if that happens.
Update 12/9/2025 9:28 a.m. ET: This article has been updated weith comment from Costas Panagopoulos.
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