Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro Four US officials revealed that the US plans to launch a new phase of operations related to Venezuela in the coming days, as the Trump administration intensifies pressure on the government led by President Nicolás Maduro.
The specifics of the new actions—including timing and scope—have not been confirmed by US media, nor has it been verified whether President Donald Trump has made a final decision. Reports of impending US action have increased in recent weeks amid deteriorating relations with Venezuela and the deployment of US forces to the Caribbean.
Two of the officials indicated that covert operations may be a primary component of the new measures targeting Maduro. Due to the sensitivity of the planned actions, all four officials spoke anonymously.
The US Department of Defense deferred questions to the White House, while the CIA declined to comment.
A senior government official stated on Saturday regarding Venezuela, "No options are off the table."
The anonymous official added, "President Trump is prepared to use all US resources to stop the flow of drugs into our country and hold those responsible accountable."
The Trump administration has recently weighed various action options against Venezuela, citing allegations that the Maduro government is involved in supplying illegal drugs to the US, which have contributed to American deaths. Maduro denies any connection to drug trafficking.
Two US officials disclosed that among the options under consideration is an attempt to overthrow Maduro’s regime.
Maduro, who has served as Venezuela’s president since 2013, has repeatedly accused Trump of seeking to oust him but insists Venezuelans and the military would resist such efforts.
The US has been increasing military presence in the Caribbean for months, and Trump previously authorized covert CIA operations in Venezuela. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) warned airlines on Friday of "potential hazardous conditions" when flying over Venezuelan airspace, urging vigilance.
Following the FAA advisory, three international airlines canceled flights departing from Venezuela on Saturday.
Officials revealed that the US plans to designate the "Cartel of the Suns" as a "foreign terrorist organization" on Monday, citing its alleged role in trafficking drugs to the US. The Trump administration accuses Maduro of leading the cartel, which he denies.
**Hegseth: Terror Designation Opens New Options** US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated last week that labeling the group a terrorist organization "will provide the US with a whole new range of operational options."
Trump previously suggested the designation would allow the US to target Maduro’s assets and infrastructure in Venezuela but also expressed openness to diplomatic solutions through dialogue.
Two officials confirmed ongoing discussions between Caracas and Washington, though it remains unclear whether these talks will influence the timing or scale of US actions.
The USS Gerald R. Ford, the US Navy’s largest aircraft carrier, arrived in the Caribbean on November 16 with its strike group, joining at least seven other warships, a nuclear submarine, and F-35 fighter jets.
So far, US operations in the region have focused on counter-narcotics, but the assembled firepower exceeds typical anti-drug efforts. Since September, US forces have conducted at least 21 strikes on suspected drug-smuggling vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific, killing at least 83 people.
Human rights groups condemn these strikes as illegal extrajudicial killings of civilians, while some US allies have voiced growing concerns over potential violations of international law.
In August, the US doubled the reward for information leading to Maduro’s arrest to $50 million.
The US military vastly outmatches Venezuela’s, with the latter weakened by poor training, low pay, and aging equipment. Reports indicate some Venezuelan commanders have negotiated with local food producers to address troop shortages due to government supply failures.
This reality has led Maduro’s government to explore alternative strategies in case of a US invasion, including guerrilla-style resistance—referred to in state media broadcasts as "prolonged resistance."
Sources and years-old planning documents suggest this strategy would involve small military units dispersed across over 280 locations, conducting sabotage and other guerrilla tactics.
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