Trump’s stance comes amid a tense regional context, with the United States maintaining a strong military presence in the Caribbean as part of a declared anti-narcotics campaign. Photo: U.S. National Archives and Records Administration.
Guacamaya, September 18, 2025 — U.S. President Donald Trump denied having held talks with members of his cabinet to prepare a “regime change” in Venezuela. The statement was made public this Thursday during his return to Washington aboard Air Force One following a state visit to the United Kingdom.
“No, I haven’t,” Trump told reporters traveling on the presidential aircraft, when asked whether he had discussed the possibility of regime change in Venezuela with Secretary of State Marco Rubio or military leaders. His remarks directly refute accusations made by Nicolás Maduro, who had claimed the U.S. was issuing military threats.
Weeks ago, the U.S. president was asked about the possibility of a change in government in Venezuela, a question to which he responded with a similar stance, although he criticized the Venezuelan political system. “We’re not talking about that (a regime change), but we are talking about the fact that you had an election that was a ‘very strange election,’ to put it mildly,” Trump stated.
His comments come amid the deployment of 10 additional F-35 stealth fighter jets to the Caribbean, stationed at an airfield in Puerto Rico, to carry out operations against drug cartels. The move is part of a broader mobilization in the region, following reports of “billions of dollars in drugs” entering the U.S. from Venezuela.
On Tuesday, U.S. Special Envoy for Venezuela Richard Grenell echoed the administration’s stance, emphasizing that its focus is on strengthening American citizens and maintaining stability. Grenell cited his direct experience in Caracas and underscored the importance of negotiations with Maduro’s government.
These developments further challenge the Venezuelan government’s accusations, which have blamed Washington for attempting to destabilize the country and threaten regional peace. Still, the Trump administration has confirmed the interception and sinking of three vessels allegedly originating from Venezuela, carrying drug shipments and resulting in at least 14 reported deaths.
