Amid deteriorating relations with the South American nation, the United States is reportedly planning to launch a new phase of operations related to Venezuela in the coming days.
According to the Reuters news agency, citing four US officials who spoke on condition of anonymity, this comes as the Donald Trump administration escalates pressure on
Reuters said it was unable to determine the exact timing or extent of the new operations, or whether US President Donald Trump had made a final decision to act.
Reports of threatened action have multiplied in recent weeks as the US military has deployed forces to the Caribbean amid deteriorating relations with Venezuela.
Read also | The FAA is warning US airlines of potential risks when flying over Venezuela – here’s why
Two of the US officials told Reuters that covert operations were likely to be the first part of a new crackdown on Maduro.
A senior representative of the state administration did not rule out anything regarding Venezuela on Saturday.
“President Trump is prepared to use every element of American power to stop the flood of drugs into our country and bring those responsible to justice,” the official told Reuters on condition of anonymity.
The Trump administration has been considering options related to Venezuela to combat what it has portrayed as Maduro’s role in supplying illegal drugs that have killed Americans. He denied having any connection to the illegal drug trade.
Two US officials told Reuters that options being considered included an attempt to oust Maduro.
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USA vs Venezuela
Maduro, who has been in power since 2013, has claimed that Trump is seeking to oust him and that Venezuela’s citizens and military will resist any such attempt.
The Venezuelan president, who will celebrate his 63rd birthday on Sunday, appeared at Caracas’ main theater on Saturday night for the premiere of a TV series based on his life.
Military buildups have been underway in the Caribbean for months, and Trump authorized covert CIA operations in Venezuela. The US Federal Aviation Administration on Friday warned major airlines of a “potentially hazardous situation” when flying over Venezuela and urged them to exercise caution.
Three international airlines canceled flights departing from Venezuela on Saturday following an FAA warning.
The United States plans to designate the Cartel de los Soles as a foreign terrorist organization on Monday for its alleged role in importing illegal drugs into the United States, officials said. The Trump administration has accused Maduro of running the Cartel de los Soles, which he denies.
Read also | Trump and Maduro are open to talks, but the US is not ruling out a Venezuelan military operation
New Options After Terrorist Designation: US Defense Secy
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said last week that the terrorist designation “opens up a whole new set of possibilities for the United States.”
Trump said the upcoming designation would allow the United States to target Maduro’s assets and infrastructure in Venezuela, but also signaled a willingness to potentially continue talks in the hope of a diplomatic solution.
Two US officials confirmed talks between Caracas and Washington. It was unclear whether the talks could affect the timing or scope of US operations.
The US Navy’s largest aircraft carrier, the Gerald R Ford, arrived in the Caribbean on November 16 with its strike group, joining at least seven other warships, a nuclear submarine and F-35 aircraft.
U.S. forces in the region have so far focused on counter-narcotics operations, even though the firepower amassed far exceeds anything needed for them.
US troops have carried out at least 21 attacks on suspected drug boats in the Caribbean and Pacific since September, killing at least 83 people.
Human rights groups have condemned the strikes as illegal extrajudicial killings of civilians, and some US allies have expressed growing concerns that Washington may be violating international law.
In August, Washington doubled its reward for information leading to Maduro’s arrest to $50 million.
The U.S. military lags behind Venezuela’s, which is weakened by a lack of training, low wages and deteriorating equipment. Some unit commanders have been forced to negotiate with local food producers to feed their troops because government supplies are running short, Reuters reported.
That reality has led Maduro’s government to consider alternative strategies in the event of a US invasion, including a possible guerrilla-style response, which the government called “long-term resistance” and mentioned on state television.
The approach would involve small military units in more than 280 locations carrying out sabotage and other guerrilla tactics, Reuters reported, citing sources and years-old planning documents.
