• Trump implies Nicolás Maduro's presidency is nearing an end.
• US strikes in the Caribbean target alleged drug-trafficking boats.
• Legal experts question the legality of US military actions.
• Maduro accuses the US of fabricating a pretext for war.
• Over 64 lives have been lost in US operations since early September.

In a recent interview with CBS, President Donald Trump suggested that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro's days in power are numbered, while downplaying the likelihood of a US war with Venezuela. Trump stated, “I doubt it. I don’t think so,” when asked about the prospect of war, indicating a more nuanced stance amid ongoing US military activity in the Caribbean, including operations against alleged drug traffickers. Trump emphasized that these actions, including “many things” like defense against narcotics, are not merely aimed at Maduro, according to BBC, AA, and Al Jazeera.

Trump's comments coincide with reports of over a dozen US strikes executed in recent weeks, which have reportedly resulted in at least 64 fatalities. These strikes target vessels believed to be involved in drug trafficking, a campaign that has faced both domestic and international scrutiny for potentially violating international law. Human rights officials, including UN human rights chief Volker Turk, have labeled these actions as “extrajudicial killings” and have called for independent investigations into these incidents, according to AA and Al Jazeera.

Maduro, who faces accusations of leading drug trafficking operations and has been indicted in the US, contends that the alleged drug offensive serves as a pretext for US intervention aimed at regime change. He has referred to the US allegations as "vulgar" and stated that Venezuela does not produce cocaine leaves, underscoring his position against US military maneuvers near Venezuelan waters. His accusations reflect a broader fear of foreign intervention that could destabilize the region, according to BBC, AA, and Al Jazeera.