T

he United States is preparing to launch a new phase of Venezuela-related operations in the coming days, escalating efforts to weaken President Nicolas Maduro’s grip on power amid a widening military buildup in the Caribbean, four U.S. officials told Reuters.

The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the plans, said covert operations are expected to form the initial wave of action. They emphasized that the timing and contours of the operation remained fluid and that it was unclear whether President Donald Trump had issued a final order.

Still, the discussions mark the sharpest turn yet in Washington’s pressure campaign against Maduro, who has ruled the crisis-stricken country since 2013 and accuses the U.S. of seeking to overthrow him.

A senior administration official declined to detail the plan but did not rule out any option. “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,” the official said.

Covert action expected as first step

Two officials said covert CIA-led operations—already authorized in Venezuela—would likely form the first phase of the new effort. The CIA declined to comment.

The potential scope of U.S. options reflects the administration’s growing assertion that Maduro and key Venezuelan military figures oversee the Cartel de los Soles, which Washington accuses of trafficking cocaine into the United States. Maduro denies any involvement, calling the allegations fabricated.

The Trump administration plans on Monday to designate the cartel as a foreign terrorist organization, a move Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said “brings a whole bunch of new options to the United States.” Trump has said the designation could justify targeting Venezuelan infrastructure and financial assets.

Military buildup raises regional concerns

The posture comes against the backdrop of a substantial U.S. military buildup near Venezuela. The Navy’s largest aircraft carrier, the Gerald R. Ford, arrived in the Caribbean on November 16 with its strike group, joining at least seven warships, a nuclear submarine and F-35 aircraft.

Officially, U.S. forces have been conducting counter-narcotics missions. Yet the scale of the deployment has alarmed regional governments and human rights monitors, who argue the assembled firepower goes far beyond what such operations require.

Since September, U.S. forces have carried out at least 21 strikes on alleged drug-smuggling vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific, killing at least 83 people. Human rights groups have condemned the attacks as extrajudicial killings, and some U.S. allies have privately expressed concern about possible violations of international law.

The FAA on Friday warned airlines of a “potentially hazardous situation” in Venezuelan airspace, prompting three international carriers to cancel flights from the country on Saturday.

Maduro digs in as Washington weighs options

Maduro has dismissed U.S. claims of drug trafficking and insists Venezuela will resist any attempt to remove him. Government-aligned media have recently broadcast segments discussing “prolonged resistance,” a guerrilla-style military strategy that would rely on dispersed units carrying out sabotage operations.

Venezuela’s armed forces, once one of Latin America’s better-equipped militaries, have deteriorated after years of economic collapse. Reports suggest some unit commanders have had to negotiate directly with farmers for food supplies due to shortages.

Still, analysts warn that any attempt by Washington to forcibly oust Maduro risks setting off a prolonged conflict. Despite low approval ratings and economic devastation, Maduro retains the loyalty of the upper military ranks and key armed civilian groups.

V

enezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro is appealing to China for closer cooperation as tensions with the United States intensify. Speaking during the closing of the “First Pedagogical Congress of Bolivarian Teachers,” Maduro highlighted recent communication with Chinese President Xi Jinping and presented a Huawei phone he said was gifted to him by Beijing’s leader.

Maduro demonstrated the device while jokingly greeting Xi in Mandarin: “Ni hao, xiexie,” he said, suggesting satellite communication between the two leaders. Though lighthearted, the gesture underscored Venezuela’s increasing focus on its strategic ties with China as U.S. military forces step up operations in the Caribbean.

Earlier this week, Maduro met with China’s ambassador to Venezuela, Lan Hu, to review progress in economic, technological, and artificial intelligence projects. He praised China as a “sister nation” and stressed its role in countering economic pressure. Since May 2023, Ambassador Hu has publicly criticized U.S. sanctions and celebrated what he described as “mutual cooperation” between Caracas and Beijing.

Last year, during the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, Hu condemned “unilateral coercive measures” imposed by Washington. Beijing has maintained a surplus in trade with Venezuela, exporting an estimated US$3.45 billion worth of goods in 2023 while importing only US$739 million, according to the Observatory of Economic Complexity.

Rising tensions in the Caribbean

The backdrop to these renewed ties is an escalating standoff between Caracas and Washington. The U.S. has deployed military assets to the Caribbean, including a nuclear-powered submarine, reconnaissance jets, destroyers, and a guided-missile cruiser, as part of an operation framed as a crackdown on drug trafficking.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the U.S. intends to “use all the resources of its power” to curb the flow of narcotics and hold those responsible accountable. While a U.S. Defense Department official confirmed that no orders have been given to approach Venezuela’s territorial waters—approximately 4,000 kilometers of coastline—Maduro has mobilized 4.5-million-armed people, vowing that “no empire is going to touch the sacred ground of Venezuela.”

China has voiced opposition to any potential escalation. “We oppose the use or threat of force in international relations and the interference of external forces in Venezuela’s internal affairs under any pretext,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said. Beijing called on the U.S. to “do more to promote peace and security in Latin America.”

Analysts, however, caution that Beijing’s response is largely symbolic. “China’s position is politically correct but not a commitment to intervene,” said Gabriel Pastor of the Uruguay-based think tank CERES. “It signals economic interest rather than direct military or diplomatic backing.”

The energy factor

Venezuela’s vast oil reserves remain central to the geopolitical equation. A recent Reuters report revealed that a private Chinese company has started operations in two Venezuelan oil fields, investing over $1 billion in a project expected to yield 60,000 barrels per day by 2026 under a 20-year production-sharing deal.

“The oil in the disputed Essequibo region between Venezuela and Guyana plays a crucial role in this dynamic,” explained José Antonio Hernández Macías, a Latin American Studies researcher at UNAM. “China is looking to secure access to energy resources while managing its broader interests in the region.”

The U.S. continues to accuse Maduro of leading the Cartel of the Suns, a drug trafficking organization it recently designated as an international terrorist group. Washington has increased the reward for his capture to $50 million. Venezuela denies these allegations, insisting its 2024 presidential election—widely contested by the opposition—was legitimate.

For now, Maduro remains defiant, portraying his government as a David against Goliath. “Venezuela today more than ever has what it takes. We are living in peace and will continue in peace,” he said, referencing biblical imagery during a televised ceremony.

While China offers limited diplomatic cover, the deepening U.S. military presence raises questions about whether the standoff could escalate further, or whether Beijing will remain a cautious, economically driven observer.

(Source: CNN)