The Trump administration has significantly escalated its military presence near Venezuela, with the advanced USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier recently entering the Caribbean. As tensions rise, officials indicate that while Trump has not yet made a definitive decision on military action, he is open to discussions with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The U.S. approach has sparked a mix of hope and fear among exiled Venezuelans, while Maduro has mobilized military forces and called for unity against potential aggression. As the situation evolves, the U.S. may explore diplomatic dialogues even as military pressure increases, reflecting a complicated geopolitical landscape.