• Trump has ended diplomatic outreach to Venezuela, signaling a hardline shift.
• Military options against drug trafficking operations are under consideration.
• The U.S. has created plans for possible military actions to remove Maduro.
• A $50 million bounty has been placed on Venezuelan President Maduro.
• This marks a victory for Secretary of State Marco Rubio's tough approach on Venezuela.

U.S. President Donald Trump has officially called off all diplomatic outreach to Venezuela, instructing his special envoy Richard Grenell to cease negotiations with President Nicolás Maduro's administration, as reported by the AA, India Times, and South China Morning Post.

During a recent meeting with military leaders, Trump expressed his growing frustration over Maduro's refusal to relinquish power and the Venezuelan government's ongoing denial of drug trafficking allegations. Consequently, Trump is considering an escalation of military actions that could target drug cartels as well as military infrastructure linked to Maduro's government, according to sources from AA and India Times.

This abrupt halt in diplomatic efforts aligns with Secretary of State Marco Rubio's hardline stance, marking a significant shift away from prior negotiations that Grenell had been pursuing. Reports indicate that Trump may have plans for potential military strikes on Venezuelan soil, emphasizing the administration’s intent to combat drug trafficking more rigorously, as noted by South China Morning Post.

The U.S. has placed a $50 million bounty on Maduro, highlighting Trump’s assertion that substantial quantities of illegal drugs are entering the United States from Venezuela. Recent military actions at sea too have involved attacking vessels suspected of drug trafficking, with defense officials indicating that these strikes have occurred in international waters, according to India Times and South China Morning Post.

Trump has demonstrated a willingness to leverage military options further against drug trafficking operations linked to Venezuela. Recent military deployments have included the largest buildup in the Caribbean in decades, with F-35 fighters and naval vessels positioned in response to the worsening drug trafficking crisis, as indicated by AA and South China Morning Post.