The US is poised to launch a new phase of Venezuela-related operations in the coming days, four US officials told Reuters, as US President Donald Trump escalates pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s government.
Reuters was not able to establish the exact timing or scope of the new operations, nor whether Trump had made a final decision to act. Reports of looming action have proliferated in recent weeks, as the US military has deployed forces to the Caribbean amid worsening relations with Venezuela.
Two of the US officials said covert operations would likely be the first part of the new action against Maduro. All four officials spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of impending action by the US.
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The Pentagon referred questions to the White House. The CIA declined to comment.
A senior administration official on Saturday did not rule anything out regarding Venezuela.
“President Trump is prepared to use every element of American power to stop drugs from flooding into our country and to bring those responsible to justice,” said the official, speaking on the condition of anonymity.
The Trump administration has been weighing Venezuela-related options to combat what it has portrayed as Maduro’s role in supplying illegal drugs that have killed Americans. He has denied having any links to the illegal drug trade.
Two US officials told Reuters the options under consideration included attempting to overthrow Maduro.
Maduro, in power since 2013, has contended that Trump seeks to oust him, and that Venezuelan citizens and the military would resist any such attempt.
The Venezuelan president, who celebrated his 63rd birthday yesterday, appeared on Saturday night at Caracas’ main theater for the premiere of a television series based on his life.
A military buildup in the Caribbean has been underway for months, and Trump has 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 after the warning.
The US plans today to designate the Cartel de los Soles a foreign terrorist organization for its alleged role in importing illegal drugs into the US, officials said.
The Trump administration has accused Maduro of leading Cartel de los Soles, which he denies.
Trump has said the designation would allow the US to strike Maduro’s assets and infrastructure in Venezuela, but he also has indicated a willingness to potentially pursue talks in hopes of a diplomatic solution.
Two US officials acknowledged conversations between Caracas and Washington. It was unclear whether those conversations could impact the timing or scale of the US operations.
The US Navy’s largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, arrived in the Caribbean on Nov. 16 with its strike group, joining at least seven other warships, a nuclear submarine and F-35 aircraft.
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