Trump Has Sufficient Firepower to Launch Immediate Strikes on Venezuela

Analysis by Mark F. Cancian and Chris H. Park

Published October 31, 2025

U.S. air strikes against military targets inside Venezuela reportedly “could come at any moment,” as the president pursues both a war on drug cartels and destabilization of the Maduro regime.

The number of available Tomahawk missiles in the Caribbean are at levels comparable to those used in previous campaigns of limited scale and duration. U.S. ships in the Caribbean today carry an estimated 115 Tomahawks. The arrival of three destroyers escorting the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier will add around 70. These missiles could strike drug cartel facilities or Maduro regime targets.
U.S. forces are increasingly well-positioned to conduct an air campaign but do not yet have the combat power for a ground or amphibious invasion. For that, additional amphibious ships, air assets, and ground forces would be needed.
Aircraft carriers are scarce and powerful warfighting resources with competing demands from other theaters. Once the Ford arrives, the U.S. Southern Command’s regional commander will face pressure to strike quickly or give it up.

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