President Donald Trump has issued a warning that the US military is authorized to shoot down Venezuelan aircraft if they are deemed a threat. This statement came after reports indicated that Venezuelan jets had buzzed American warships engaged in an anti-drug mission near Venezuela. During a press briefing, Trump emphasized that if Venezuelan aircraft jeopardize the safety of US naval vessels, they would face the full force of American military power. Trump denied allegations that the US was attempting to destabilize the government of President Nicolas Maduro, instead asserting that the US was focused on combating drug trafficking through its military operations. The US has significantly increased its military presence in the region, dispatching eight warships, an attack submarine, and ten F-35 stealth fighters to Puerto Rico. The military buildup has intensified tensions with Venezuela, where President Maduro has warned of a potential armed response if his nation is attacked. The situation highlights the long-standing hostilities between the two nations, which have been exacerbated by years of political and economic disputes. In recent weeks, the US has deployed at least eight warships and an attack submarine in the Caribbean, while sending ten F-35 stealth fighters to Puerto Rico to deter further Venezuelan flyovers. Earlier this week, the US struck a boat it claimed was linked to a drug operation, killing 11 people. As tensions with the US soared, Maduro warned that his country would move to a stage of ‘armed struggle’ if it were attacked. Relations between the United States and Venezuela have been tense for years. Washington refused to recognize Maduro’s reelection in 2018, instead backing the country’s opposition. Successive US administrations have imposed sweeping sanctions on Venezuela’s oil sector and financial system. In August, the US announced a reward of $50 million for any information leading to Maduro’s arrest, whom it labeled ‘one of the largest narco-traffickers in the world.’ The Venezuelan president rejected the allegation, saying his country is ‘free from coca leaf production [and] cocaine,’ and is fighting against drug trafficking.