After targeting Venezuelan oil, the United States once again threatens a ground strike.

On the 12th, U.S. President Trump once again threatened the Venezuelan government, claiming that he will "soon" launch ground operations against drug trafficking groups in Venezuela. Venezuelan Defense Minister Lopez that day accused the United States of attempting to blockade the Caribbean region and seize its natural resources, claiming that Venezuela is launching resistance. Trump said at the White House on the 12th: "We have stopped 96% of drugs flowing into the United States, now we will launch ground operations, which are relatively easy by land, and we are about to start." Trump has repeatedly threatened to expand its operations against Venezuelan drug trafficking groups from sea to land, and the U.S. military will "soon" launch ground operations.