 "Reports of imminent action have intensified as US forces build up in the Caribbean amid rapidly deteriorating relations with Venezuela. (Photo: Reuters/AFP)")
The United States is preparing to enter a new phase of Venezuela-related operations in the coming days, four US officials told Reuters, as the administration of United States President Donald Trump steps up pressure on the government of President Nicolás Maduro. The exact timing or scope of the planned moves, and whether Trump has given final authorisation, have not been disclosed.
Reports of impending action have grown as United States forces have been deployed to the Caribbean amid worsening relations with Venezuela.
Two of the officials said covert operations would likely form the opening stage of Washington’s next steps. All four officials spoke anonymously due to the sensitivity of the looming actions. The Pentagon referred questions to the White House, and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) declined to comment.
A senior administration official on Saturday did not exclude any options, stating anonymously that President Trump was prepared to use every element of American power to stop illegal drugs entering the country and to pursue those responsible.
The Trump administration has been examining options it links to what it portrays as Maduro’s role in supplying illegal drugs that have killed Americans, an allegation he denies. Two United States officials said these options included attempting to overthrow Maduro. In power since 2013, Maduro has argued that Trump aims to remove him and insists Venezuelan citizens and the military would resist. He appeared on Saturday night at a theatre in Caracas for the premiere of a television series based on his life, a day before marking his 63rd birthday.
Military build-up and looming terrorist designation
A military build-up in the Caribbean has been under way for months, and Trump has authorised covert CIA operations in Venezuela. On Friday, the United States Federal Aviation Administration warned major airlines of a “potentially hazardous situation” when flying over Venezuela, urging caution. Three international airlines cancelled flights departing Venezuela on Saturday following the warning.
United States officials said Washington plans on Monday to designate the Cartel de los Soles a foreign terrorist organisation for its alleged role in importing illegal drugs into the United States. The Trump administration has accused Maduro of leading the group, which he denies. United States Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said last week that the designation “brings a whole bunch of new options to the United States.”
Quick Reads
View AllTrump has said it would allow Washington to strike Maduro’s assets and infrastructure in Venezuela, while also indicating openness to possible talks in pursuit of a diplomatic solution.
Two United States officials acknowledged that communications between Caracas and Washington had taken place, though it remained unclear whether these could influence the timing or scale of the planned operations. The Gerald R. Ford, the United States Navy’s largest aircraft carrier, arrived in the Caribbean on 16 November with its strike group, joining at least seven other warships, a nuclear submarine and F-35 aircraft. United States forces in the region have so far concentrated on counter-narcotics operations, despite the assembled firepower exceeding what such missions typically require. Since September, United States troops have conducted at least 21 strikes on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean and Pacific, killing at least 83 people.
Human rights groups have condemned these strikes as illegal extrajudicial killings of civilians, and some United States allies have raised concerns that Washington may be violating international law. In August, Washington doubled its reward to 50 million dollars for information leading to Maduro’s arrest.
The United States military far outweighs Venezuela’s, whose capabilities have been weakened by poor training, low wages and deteriorating equipment. Some commanders have had to negotiate with local food producers to supply their troops due to shortfalls in government provisions, Reuters has previously reported.
These conditions have prompted Maduro’s government to consider alternative approaches in the event of a United States invasion. This includes a guerrilla-style strategy described as “prolonged resistance” and referenced in state television broadcasts. Reuters has reported that this plan would rely on small military units positioned at more than 280 locations carrying out sabotage and other guerrilla tactics, according to sources and older planning documents.