U.S. to launch new phase of Venezuela operations, sources say

The United States is preparing to launch a new round of Venezuela-related operations in the coming days, as President Donald Trump’s administration intensifies efforts to pressure President Nicolás Maduro’s government and targets what it calls Venezuela’s role in the regional drug trade.

Four U.S. officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the Trump administration is poised to initiate a new phase of operations against Venezuela, signalling a possible escalation of covert and military activity in the Caribbean.

While the exact scope and timing of the operations remain unclear, two officials said covert actions would likely mark the first stage, adding that the plan has been under development for several weeks.

A senior administration official said on Saturday that the president “is prepared to use every element of American power to stop drugs from flooding into our country and to bring those responsible to justice.”

The Pentagon referred all questions to the White House, and the CIA declined to comment, underscoring the secrecy surrounding Washington’s next steps.

Escalating pressure and military buildup

Relations between Washington and Caracas have sharply deteriorated in recent months, with the U.S. military reinforcing its presence in the Caribbean. The USS Gerald R. Ford, America’s largest aircraft carrier, arrived in the region on November 16, accompanied by at least seven warships, a nuclear submarine, and F-35 aircraft.

Officially, U.S. forces are conducting counter-narcotics operations, but the scale of deployment — and the 21 recent strikes on alleged drug boats that have left at least 83 people dead — has raised alarm among human rights groups and some U.S. allies. Critics warn the operations risk violating international law and could mark a prelude to direct military intervention.

Trump has accused Maduro of leading the Cartel de los Soles, an alleged drug trafficking network, and plans to designate it a foreign terrorist organisation on Monday. The move would grant the United States broader powers to target Venezuela’s assets and infrastructure.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said last week that the designation “brings a whole bunch of new options to the United States.”

Maduro’s response and resistance strategy

Maduro, who has ruled since 2013, has dismissed U.S. allegations and accused Washington of seeking to overthrow his government. He has warned that Venezuelans — including the armed forces — would resist any invasion.

Venezuelan military documents reviewed by Reuters suggest that Caracas has planned a “prolonged resistance” strategy in the event of U.S. intervention, relying on small mobile units to conduct sabotage and guerrilla-style operations from more than 280 sites across the country.

Maduro’s forces are widely seen as under-equipped and demoralised. Reports indicate some commanders have resorted to bartering with local food producers to feed their troops amid chronic shortages and economic collapse.

Diplomatic and intelligence dimensions

Despite heightened tensions, two U.S. officials confirmed that channels of communication remain open between Caracas and Washington. It is unclear whether these contacts could delay or reshape the pending operations.

The United States has also doubled its reward for information leading to Maduro’s arrest to $50 million, underscoring the administration’s determination to isolate him.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a warning to airlines on Friday about a “potentially hazardous situation” over Venezuelan airspace, urging carriers to exercise caution. Following the notice, three international airlines — Gol, Avianca, and TAP Air Portugal — cancelled flights departing from Caracas on Saturday.

Human rights concerns

Human rights organisations have criticised the intensifying U.S. strategy, warning that the use of lethal force in counter-narcotics missions could lead to civilian casualties. Some Western allies have also voiced unease that Washington’s actions could escalate instability across the region.

Still, officials close to the Trump administration argue that the measures are necessary to curb the influence of what they call “narco-terrorism” emanating from Venezuela.

“President Trump will act decisively to protect American lives and restore stability in the hemisphere,” one senior U.S. official said.

As anticipation builds over possible U.S. action, Caracas has moved to tighten security and mobilise loyalist militias. For now, both sides appear to be bracing for a confrontation — one that could determine the next chapter of Venezuela’s long-running political and economic crisis.

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