US President Donald Trump has recently expressed reservations to top aides about launching military action to oust Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, fearing that strikes might not compel the autocrat to step down, according to US officials familiar with the deliberations, reports The Wall Street Journal.

At the same time, the US president continues to inquire from his aides about various options for military action.

No deadline has been set for making a decision, and Trump has been presented with a range of approaches, including tightening sanctions, increasing tariffs on countries importing Venezuelan oil, boosting opposition support alongside increasing military presence in the region, as well as conducting covert operations and airstrikes in Venezuela.

Washington accuses the Venezuelan authorities of not sufficiently combating drug trafficking. The US Navy has deployed eight ships, one nuclear submarine, and 10,000 personnel in the Caribbean, destroying fast boats in international waters along with the people on board, who are being accused without evidence of drug trafficking from Venezuela.

US media have repeatedly reported that the country could soon strike Venezuelan drug cartel facilities. However, on October 31, Trump stated that he is not considering the possibility of carrying out strikes on Venezuelan territory.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro announced the adoption of a comprehensive defense plan and readiness to engage in armed resistance in the event of US aggression.