US Readies New Venezuela Actions Amid Escalating Maduro Pressure

U.S. Prepares to Ramp Up Pressure on Maduro Regime in Venezuela

Four U.S. officials have disclosed to Reuters that the Trump administration is preparing to launch a new phase of Venezuela-related actions in the coming days, escalating pressure on the government of Nicolas Maduro. Reuters has not confirmed the exact timing or scope of these new actions, nor whether President Trump has made a final decision.

These reports come amid heightened tensions between the United States and Venezuela, and increasing talk of potential military moves, including the deployment of U.S. forces in the Caribbean region.

Options on the Table

Two of the U.S. officials indicated that covert operations could be part of the initial phase of actions against Maduro. All four officials cited requested anonymity, given the highly sensitive nature of the potential U.S. operations.

The Pentagon referred related questions to the White House, while the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) declined to comment. A senior government official stated last Saturday that “no option is off the table” regarding Venezuela.

The unnamed official added: “President Trump is prepared to use all elements of U.S. power to stop the flow of drugs into our country and to bring those responsible to justice.”

The Trump administration has long been considering various options regarding Venezuela, aimed at combating what it calls “Maduro's role in supplying deadly illegal drugs to the United States.” Maduro denies any involvement in the illicit drug trade.

Two U.S. officials told Reuters that the options under consideration include attempting to overthrow Maduro.

Maduro Defiant Amid Threats

Maduro, who came to power in 2013, claims that Trump intends to remove him from power, and that the Venezuelan people and military will resist any such attempt. The Venezuelan president, who celebrated his 63rd birthday last Sunday, appeared at the main theater in Caracas last Saturday evening for the premiere of a television series based on his life.

The buildup of U.S. forces in the Caribbean region has been ongoing for months, and Trump has authorized the CIA to conduct covert operations in Venezuela. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a warning to airlines last Friday, citing “potential hazardous situations” when flying over Venezuela, and urged airlines to exercise caution.

Following the FAA warning, three international airlines canceled flights from Venezuela last Saturday.

Officials say the U.S. plans on Monday to designate the Cartel de los Soles as a foreign terrorist organization, due to its alleged involvement in smuggling illegal drugs into the United States. The Trump administration accuses Maduro of leading the cartel, but Maduro denies it.

New Options Follow Terrorist Designation

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said last week that designating it a terrorist organization “will give the U.S. a whole range of new options.”

Trump has said the impending designation will allow the U.S. to strike at Maduro's assets and infrastructure in Venezuela, but he has also said he is willing to consider a diplomatic solution through negotiations.

Two U.S. officials confirmed that there is dialogue between the U.S. and Venezuela, but it is unclear whether these talks will affect the timing or scale of U.S. operations.

The U.S. Navy's largest aircraft carrier, the Gerald R. Ford, arrived in the Caribbean Sea on November 16, leading its strike group, and joined at least seven other warships, a nuclear submarine, and F-35 fighter jets.

Although the assembled firepower far exceeds what is required for counter-narcotics operations, U.S. forces in the region have so far focused on counter-drug operations. Since September, U.S. forces have conducted at least 21 raids in the Caribbean and Pacific on ships suspected of carrying drugs, resulting in the deaths of at least 83 people.

Human rights organizations have condemned these attacks as illegal extrajudicial executions of civilians, and some U.S. allies have expressed growing concern that Washington may be violating international law. Washington doubled the reward for information leading to Maduro's arrest to $50 million in August.

The U.S. military's strength far outweighs that of the Venezuelan military, which suffers from poor training, low pay, and outdated equipment. Reuters previously reported that some Venezuelan unit commanders have had to negotiate with local food producers to provide food for soldiers due to government supply shortages.

This reality has led Maduro's government to consider alternative strategies for dealing with a U.S. invasion, including potential guerrilla warfare attacks, which the government calls “long-term resistance,” and refers to on national television broadcasts.

Reuters, citing sources and planning documents dating back many years, reported that this strategy would involve small military units scattered in more than 280 locations conducting sabotage and other guerrilla warfare tactics.