US officials, led by President Donald Trump, have refused to rule out the possibility of war with Venezuela as tensions between the two nations escalate. The US has deployed its largest fleet in the region in decades, with the USS Iwo Jima amphibious assault ship docked in Ponce, Puerto Rico, amid a military buildup in the Caribbean.

In an interview with NBC News, Trump stated that going to war with the regime of President Nicolás Maduro remains on the table. "I don't rule it out, no," he said in a phone interview with the network. Trump's comments were echoed by his top adviser, Marco Rubio, who doubled down on remarks that the US could coerce Maduro through its campaign of economic sanctions and diplomatic isolation.

Maduro, in response to the US military buildup, has ordered the Venezuelan navy to escort oil tankers defying the US presence in the region. The move is seen as a direct challenge to the US, which has been seeking to pressure Maduro's regime through economic sanctions and diplomatic isolation.

The US has been critical of Maduro's government, accusing it of human rights abuses and authoritarianism. The Trump administration has also been seeking to undermine Maduro's control over the country's oil industry, which is a crucial source of revenue for the Venezuelan government.

The deployment of the USS Iwo Jima and other US warships to the Caribbean has raised concerns about the potential for conflict in the region. The US has a long history of intervention in Latin America, and many in the region are wary of US military action.

The Organization of American States (OAS) has called for a peaceful resolution to the crisis, urging both sides to engage in dialogue. However, the prospects for a negotiated solution appear to be slim, with both sides dug in and unwilling to compromise.

As the situation continues to deteriorate, the international community is watching with growing concern. The European Union has called for restraint and a peaceful resolution, while the United Nations has urged both sides to respect international law and avoid any actions that could lead to conflict.

The current status of the crisis remains uncertain, with both sides dug in and unwilling to compromise. The US has made it clear that it will continue to pressure Maduro's regime, while Maduro has vowed to defend his country's sovereignty. As the situation continues to unfold, the world waits with bated breath for a resolution to the crisis.