NOT SO FAST: The White House pushed back on media reports suggesting that President Trump was poised to strike military targets in Venezuela.
— Fox News (@FoxNews) October 31, 2025
“Unnamed sources don’t know what they’re talking about,” White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said in a statement to FOX News Digital. pic.twitter.com/A2Jz1jvwzw
- Fox News reports the White House's firm denial of media claims that President Trump approved imminent U.S. military strikes on Venezuelan targets, with spokeswoman Anna Kelly calling the sources unreliable.
- The controversy stems from U.S. naval deployments like the USS Gerald R. Ford near Venezuela to target drug trafficking networks tied to Maduro's regime, which has facilitated fentanyl flows to the U.S., according to Newsweek and Washington Post analyses.
- Trump's statement that no decision exists aligns with strategic ambiguity tactics, maintaining pressure on Caracas while avoiding escalation, as Venezuela seeks Russian aid amid sanctions under the 2025 VALOR Act.