President Donald Trump has reportedly ended all diplomatic outreach to Venezuela, instructing envoy Richard Grenell to cease all efforts as he grows frustrated with authoritarian President Nicolas Maduro's reluctance to relinquish power.
Trump is also frustrated that Maduro keeps rejecting any ties with drug cartels, The New York Times reported.
Officials told the outlet that the administration has drawn up multiple military plans for an eventual escalation.
So far, the U.S. military has conducted at least four strikes on vessels it claimed were trafficking drugs that would ultimately end up in the U.S.
A White House official told the New York Times that Trump is prepared to use "every element of American power" to stop drugs from entering the country.
"We have also warned a European embassy so that it may communicate the gravity of this information to U.S. diplomatic personnel," he added.
The U.S. Embassy building in Caracas has since remained closed to the public, though a small staff continues to maintain the premises. »