The United States is preparing to begin a new phase of Venezuela-related operations in the coming days, four US officials told Reuters, as the Trump administration escalates its campaign against President Nicolás Maduro.
Although the exact timing and scale of the planned operations remain unclear, officials said covert actions are expected to be the first step. The moves come amid a major US military buildup in the Caribbean and rising tensions with Caracas.
The Pentagon referred questions to the White House, while the CIA declined to comment. A senior administration official, speaking anonymously, said President Donald Trump was prepared “to use every element of American power to stop drugs from flooding into our country and to bring those responsible to justice.”
Washington accuses Maduro of overseeing drug trafficking through the Cartel de los Soles, an organisation the US plans to designate as a foreign terrorist group as soon as Monday. Maduro has denied the allegations, calling them part of a long-running US attempt to remove him from power.
Covert Operations and Growing Military Presence
Two officials said the new phase could involve steps to overthrow Maduro, though they acknowledged that discussions are still ongoing. Trump has previously authorised covert CIA operations in Venezuela, and a significant military deployment is already in place.
The USS Gerald R. Ford, the US Navy’s largest aircraft carrier, arrived in the Caribbean on November 16, joining seven other warships, a nuclear submarine and F-35 fighter jets. Officially, US forces have been focused on counter-narcotics operations, though analysts note the firepower deployed far exceeds what is typically required for such missions.
Since September, US forces have carried out at least 21 strikes on suspected drug boats in the Caribbean and Pacific, reportedly killing 83 people. Human rights organisations have condemned these operations as potential extrajudicial killings, warning they could violate international law.
Terrorist Designation Expands US Options
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the upcoming terrorist designation of the Cartel de los Soles would “bring a whole bunch of new options to the United States.” Trump has said the move would allow Washington to target Maduro’s assets and infrastructure in Venezuela while keeping open the possibility of renewed diplomatic talks.
Two US officials confirmed that conversations between Caracas and Washington are ongoing but said it is unclear whether those talks will influence the timing or extent of the new operations.
The US Federal Aviation Administration has also warned airlines of a “potentially hazardous situation” when flying over Venezuela, leading three international carriers to cancel flights on Saturday.
Maduro Defiant as US Pressures Mount
Maduro, who has ruled Venezuela since 2013, accused Washington of seeking regime change and vowed that the nation’s military and citizens would resist any attempt to topple his government. On Saturday night, he appeared at Caracas’s main theatre for the premiere of a television series based on his life.
The Venezuelan military remains under strain from low wages, poor training, and outdated equipment. Some commanders have reportedly resorted to trading with local food producers to feed their troops.
Facing the possibility of a US intervention, Maduro’s government has discussed adopting a “prolonged resistance” strategy involving small, decentralised military units conducting guerrilla-style operations and acts of sabotage from over 280 locations, according to Venezuelan sources and military planning documents seen by Reuters.
The escalating standoff underscores Washington’s determination to force change in Venezuela and Maduro’s resolve to resist it, even as his country grapples with deep economic and humanitarian crises.
(with inputs from Reuters)
