The US administration is now reportedly considering air strikes, but no final decision has been made

Top Pentagon officials on Thursday briefed US President Donald Trump on potential military operations against Venezuela, CBS News has reported, citing a number of sources familiar with the meeting.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine were among those who presented Trump with new options, including air strikes against unspecified targets across the country. No final decision regarding military action was made at the meeting, two sources told the outlet.

Trump has repeatedly accused the Venezuelan government of aiding "narcoterrorists," alleging that the country's president, Nicolas Maduro, personally leads a drug-trafficking organization. Washington has also increased its bounty on Maduro to a massive $50 million. The US leader ordered naval forces into the region last month, hinting that he could authorize strikes.

Since early September, the US military has carried out over a dozen strikes on small boats in international waters, claiming the vessels are being used by drug smugglers. More than 70 people are believed to have been killed in the attacks, according to media reports.

Maduro has strongly denied being somehow involved in drug trafficking, accusing Washington of merely "fabricating a new war" and inventing a pretext for a potential regime-change operation.  

Venezuela has placed its military on high alert amid the American buildup in the region and held a series of drills. "We are ready to defend the Homeland on any terrain and under any circumstances," Maduro said on Wednesday as he posted photos from the latest exercise online.