(MENAFN) The United States is considering extreme measures, including a possible assassination attempt on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, after branding him a drug trafficker and terrorist, according to a report by media citing sources familiar with internal discussions.

Over the past few weeks, U.S. military forces have launched a series of maritime strikes near Venezuela, targeting what officials described as “drug boats.” These operations have resulted in the deaths of more than two dozen people and coincide with a noticeable buildup of American military assets in the region.

Washington has accused Maduro of maintaining ties with narcotics trafficking networks—allegations he has strongly denied. In turn, Caracas has accused the U.S. of attempting to overthrow Maduro’s government, a claim American officials have consistently rejected.

Despite making no public statements about pursuing regime change, media reported Sunday that U.S. President Donald Trump is determined to force Maduro from office, using the fight against drug cartels as a justification.

“Would everyone like Maduro to go? Yes,” an unnamed official from the Trump administration told mdia.

According to the official, Trump is weighing multiple options for pressuring Venezuela, including possible strikes on suspected cartel-related targets inside the country. However, he emphasized that no direct order has yet been issued to target Maduro personally.

A second source familiar with the matter indicated that a more aggressive approach could be triggered if Maduro is officially labeled a narco-terrorist. “Don’t we go after indicted narco traffickers and terrorists all the time?” the source remarked.

Still, U.S. officials believe a full-scale operation may not be necessary. The Trump administration source suggested Maduro could be ousted by sustained pressure alone. “We are going to put a tremendous amount of pressure on him. He is weak. It is quite possible that he will fall from this pressure alone without us having to do anything.”

Amid rising tensions, The New York Times revealed that Venezuela had offered significant economic incentives during secret negotiations with the U.S., including potential deals allowing American firms to gain a substantial stake in the nation’s oil sector. However, separate reporting by the Times noted that Trump abruptly ended those talks after becoming “frustrated” with Maduro’s refusal to voluntarily cede power.

The developments mark a new phase in U.S.-Venezuela relations, raising alarm over the possibility of covert military escalation in a region already fraught with instability.

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