(NewsNation) — Off the coast of Venezuela, the U.S. military is continuing to display its strength in view of President Nicolas Maduro.
President Donald Trump has also suggested future military operations could expand to include targets in Mexico and Colombia.
Flight tracking service FlightRadar24 recorded two F/A-18 fighter jets flying deep into the Gulf of Venezuela for more than 30 minutes on Tuesday, according to Military.com. The jets appeared to remain in international airspace, though that has not been confirmed.
The increase in activity has raised questions over whether the tensions could escalate beyond saber-rattling.
Trump hints at strikes on Venezuelan territory
Trump has shown no sign of backing away from operations in the Caribbean, where U.S. forces have carried out at least 22 strikes on alleged drug-smuggling boats — including a controversial Sept. 2 incident in which a follow-up strike killed survivors onboard.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has not committed to releasing a video of that controversial second strike, which one lawmaker described as “deeply troubling.”
Trump has said the strikes will continue and hinted at an expansion.
“They don’t want to get in boats. They don’t want anything to do with boats. I think we’ve destroyed the boat market,” Trump said. “And now we’re going to do land because the land is much easier. And it’s even more prevalent.”
Democrats demand answers on Trump’s Venezuela plan
Democrats, however, have continued to push for answers and transparency after Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio briefed the so-called Gang of Eight on Tuesday on the administration’s actions in Venezuela.
“The video that I saw last week, I believe the American people deserve to see,” said Sen Mark Warner, D-Va.
“It was a very unsatisfying briefing,” said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. “In terms of Venezuela, I asked them what their strategy is and what they were doing — again, did not get satisfying answers at all.”
Trump pledges more boat strikes amid outcry
The U.S. military buildup has continued both on land and sea, with significant American firepower on full display.
While Trump has offered few details about strategy or next steps, he has not ruled out expanding operations in Venezuela, emphasizing he wants to see Maduro removed from power.