Trump Denies B-1 Bomber Deployment to Venezuela Amid Tensions

UPDATE: President Donald Trump faced immediate fact-checking today after he denied reports of B-1 Lancer jets being deployed to Venezuela. This denial comes amidst escalating tensions with the South American nation, raising questions about U.S. military readiness.

During a press gaggle on October 26, 2023, Trump was questioned about the deployment of two B-1 bombers that reportedly took off from Dyess Air Force Base in Texas. The Wall Street Journal cited flight tracking data and a U.S. official, confirming the jets’ flight path toward the Venezuelan coast, although they remained in international airspace.

“No, it’s not accurate,” Trump told CBS reporter Kathryn Watson. However, in a live fact-check, CNN reporter Natasha Bertrand countered Trump’s claim, stating, “They were easily viewable on flight radar and have been tracked by open source analysts for most of the day. At its closest point, a B-1 bomber was just over 50 miles from the Venezuelan mainland.”

Bertrand’s assertion was backed by fellow CNN reporter Avery Schmitz, who previously posted radar images showing B-52 bombers near the same area, just 48 miles from a Venezuelan archipelago inhabited by thousands.

This incident raises significant concerns, especially as Trump hinted at the possibility of “land action” in Venezuela, suggesting potential airstrikes on Venezuelan soil. Despite the heightened rhetoric, no formal military plans have been disclosed as of now.

Trump’s opposition to Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro remains firm, particularly as his administration targets boats allegedly carrying drugs. There have been no specific details shared with Congress or the public beyond statements from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

In response to Maduro’s offer for mediation with the Trump administration, Trump dismissed the overture, stating, “Maduro doesn’t want to f—— around with the United States.”

As tensions mount and military movements are closely monitored, this story is developing rapidly. What happens next could impact not only U.S.-Venezuela relations but also broader geopolitical dynamics in the region.

Stay tuned for updates as this urgent situation unfolds.