U.S. President Donald Trump denied on Friday that he had approved American airstrikes on Venezuela, despite growing speculation and reports from multiple outlets suggesting that military action could be imminent.
The rumors intensified after The Miami Herald published a report Friday morning citing senior administration officials who claimed Trump had already authorized limited airstrikes against Venezuelan military and energy targets. The report alleged that Pentagon planners had finalized strike lists and that operations could begin “within days.”
Speaking to reporters while boarding Air Force One later in the day, Trump categorically denied the claims. “No,” he said when asked directly whether he had approved any strikes on Venezuela, adding that he was “not considering that option at this time.” The White House also issued a statement dismissing the reports, with Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly emphasizing that “policy announcements come directly from the President” and warning against “speculative reporting based on anonymous sources.”
Despite those denials, parallel reporting from The Wall Street Journal on Thursday claimed the President had already reviewed and approved potential targets inside Venezuela, lending weight to The Herald’s claims.
Meanwhile, regional military movements have added to the tension. On Friday, the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force—whose island nation sits less than 10 miles off Venezuela’s southern coast—was placed on full readiness, according to local sources. Military communications circulating among officers reportedly included the phrase “This is not a drill.”
The U.S. Navy destroyer USS Gravely, which had been docked in Port of Spain for joint exercises earlier in the week, departed Friday morning. Its visit had already drawn sharp condemnation from Caracas, which suspended energy cooperation with Trinidad in protest, accusing the island nation of enabling “U.S. aggression.”
Skepticism remains high about Trump’s denial. Analysts have pointed to his previous statements that contradicted unfolding events—such as his June 12th Truth Social post claiming diplomatic efforts with Iran were ongoing, just hours before Israel launched its own strikes on Iranian facilities with Washington’s foreknowledge.