• Trump denies reports of imminent military strikes in Venezuela.
• The U.S. has increased military presence in the Caribbean.
• Venezuelan officials accuse the U.S. of fabricating conflict.

U.S. President Donald Trump denied media reports on Friday stating that he was planning strikes on military installations within Venezuela. When questioned by reporters aboard Air Force One, he stated, “No,” contradicting reports suggesting imminent action against targets associated with drug trafficking networks purportedly led by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, known as the "Cartel de los Soles" according to SCMP, AA, ABC News, and Al Jazeera.

Despite Trump’s denials, the U.S. has significantly bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean, with the USS Gerald R. Ford, the world's largest aircraft carrier, heading towards the Venezuelan coast. Reports indicate that at least 14 naval strikes have occurred against vessels suspected of drug trafficking since September, leading to over 61 reported fatalities, according to SCMP, AA, ABC News, and Al Jazeera.

The planned strikes have incited criticism, with rights groups calling for investigations into the legality of U.S. military operations. U.N. Human Rights Chief Volker Turk described recent attacks as “unacceptable” and urged the cessation of actions that result in extrajudicial killings, as reported by SCMP and Al Jazeera.

Venezuelan officials, including President Maduro, have vehemently denied claims connecting the government to the drug trade. Maduro referred to U.S. assertions as “fabricated” and emphasized that Venezuela does not produce cocaine, actions he interpreted as a deceptive ploy for a new eternal conflict against his government, according to AA and Al Jazeera.