Warship

United States President Donald Trump has dismissed reports that his administration is planning strikes inside Venezuela, despite a major U.S. military deployment to the Caribbean that has raised regional tensions.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Friday, Trump flatly denied suggestions that Washington was considering military action against Venezuela. “No,” he said when asked if reports about planned strikes were true.

His comments appeared to contradict statements he made earlier this month suggesting that the United States might take direct action against individuals or groups allegedly linked to drug trafficking. “I think we’re just going to kill …