President Donald Trump is considering military options as the armed conflict against Venezuela continues in the open sea.

Since September, the Department of Justice has carried out numerous strikes against suspected drug vessels transporting “narco-terrorists” who are trafficking drugs into the US.

The strikes have resulted in more than 80 deaths.

On Wednesday, senior military officials, including Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth, provided Trump with revised options for potential operations in Venezuela, according to CBS News senior White House Reporter Jennifer Jacobs.

Hegseth was accompanied by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine and other senior officials to update Trump on military possibilities, sources informed the outlet, reports the Express US.

The report emerges as the US military executed its 20th strike on vessels in the Caribbean Sea, resulting in four fatalities, a Pentagon official confirmed to CBS News.

The Trump administration has remained secretive about the operation, merely stating that it formed part of an anti-drug campaign.

Hegseth has previously indicated that the attacks are focusing on narco-terrorists along established drug trafficking corridors; nevertheless, officials have not provided concrete evidence that the vessels were smuggling narcotics or posed a danger to the US.

Some experts suggest the strikes may have breached international law, even if they target recognised drug traffickers.

This week, Volker Türk, the United Nations human rights chief, demanded an investigation into the legality of the strikes, warning of “strong indications” of “extrajudicial killings.”

The Department of Defense confirmed this week that the USS Gerald R. Ford and other warships have entered the Southern Command’s area of responsibility, including the Caribbean.

In response, Venezuela has announced a nationwide military exercise involving approximately 200,000 forces.

High-ranking officials in the country, including President Nicolas Maduro, suspect the military strikes are intended to force Maduro from power.

In a recent interview on 60 Minutes, when questioned if Maduro’s “days were numbered,” Trump responded, “I would say yeah. I think so, yeah.”

Trump has accused Maduro of colluding with gangs that smuggle drugs into the U.S., an accusation Maduro vehemently denies.