The official White House Rapid Response account shared footage of President Donald Trump as he prepared to fulfill commitments at a sporting event. Photo: Screenshot from Fox News
Guacamaya, September 7, 2025. The President of the United States was asked about the possibility of launching attacks inside Venezuela against alleged drug cartels operating in the country. In response, Trump did not rule out the option, though he offered no further details.
“You’ll find out,” was the President’s cryptic and brief reply when questioned by Spanish journalist David Alandete, moments before boarding a helicopter from the government headquarters. Trump was en route to New York to attend the final match of the US Open tennis tournament, where he was met with both applause and boos upon arrival.
Trump’s comment, short but forceful, comes amid escalating tensions between Washington and Caracas, marked by heightened military surveillance in the Caribbean. His statement adds to a series of developments that have strained bilateral relations in recent days and could prompt retaliatory actions from both sides.
On Tuesday, the United States reported a lethal strike against a vessel allegedly originating from Venezuela, which Washington claims was transporting narcotics through Caribbean waters. The operation, which left 11 dead, was justified by the White House as part of its anti-narcotics campaign targeting criminal groups with alleged ties to Nicolás Maduro’s government.
Later, on Friday, Venezuela reportedly escalated its military maneuvers by deploying two F-16 fighter jets that, according to the U.S. version, flew over the USS Jason Dunham destroyer. In response, Trump stated: “If they put us in a dangerous situation, they will be shot down,” after signing a decree renaming the Department of Defense as the Department of War.
Although Trump did not explicitly confirm future ground or air operations inside Venezuela, his “You’ll find out” remark suggests he is not ruling out further attacks as part of his strategy to pressure Maduro’s government. The White House defends these maneuvers as part of its fight against drug trafficking, which it considers a direct threat to U.S. interests.
President Nicolás Maduro, meanwhile, called for a mass mobilization on Friday, summoning around 8.2 million Venezuelans, including 4.5 million militia members, whom the government claims to have on standby. However, at the close of the event, Maduro extended an invitation to his counterpart to engage in dialogue and avoid escalation. “I respect Trump. I invite him to talk. I hope he reconsiders,” he said.
