US President Donald Trump may abandon the military operation against Venezuela and declare success in the fight against drug trafficking without striking a single blow. A senior US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Washington Post that the deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier group to the Caribbean is primarily a show of force, not preparation for actual combat.

A retired American general, also speaking anonymously, questioned the effectiveness of any strikes.

"The idea that you're stopping the flow of drugs by attacking Venezuela is just nonsense," — he said in an interview with the publication.

Sources emphasize that Trump is seeking a quick political victory before the midterm elections. The deployment of a group with F-35s and Reaper drones was announced as part of a campaign against the cartels, but Caracas perceived it as a threat of invasion. Venezuela has reinforced its Buk-M2 air defense systems and is training guerrilla units, relying on Russian support. Maduro previously asked Moscow for repairs to Su-30s and radars.

Experts note that drug trafficking from Venezuela is only part of the problem: the main routes pass through Mexico and Colombia. Trump already sent ships to the region in 2020, but the operation ended without escalation. The current situation could repeat itself: loud statements without real losses. The White House has not yet commented on the plans.