Washington D.C. – President Donald Trump has reportedly approved plans for covert operations within Venezuela, according to sources familiar with the matter. The move comes amidst heightened tensions in the region, with the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group currently deployed in the Caribbean Sea and over 15,000 troops participating in a large-scale military exercise known as “Southern Spear.”
The approved plans would authorize the CIA to conduct clandestine activities inside Venezuela, potentially paving the way for more aggressive actions down the line. These actions could include cyber warfare, psychological operations, and information warfare campaigns aimed at destabilizing the current regime.
Furthermore, American military planners have reportedly drawn up target lists that include facilities suspected of involvement in drug manufacturing, as well as military units loyal to President Nicolas Maduro. While the sources confirmed that President Trump has not yet authorized the deployment of ground troops into Venezuela, the possibility remains a point of serious consideration.
Secret Consultations and Potential Negotiations
President Trump reportedly held multiple meetings in the White House Situation Room last week, where he discussed potential scenarios for dealing with the Venezuelan situation with his military and security advisors. Alongside the military posturing, the President has also reportedly greenlit a new round of secret negotiations with the Maduro government. These backchannel talks had been paused briefly last month.
During these discussions, Maduro has reportedly expressed a willingness to grant American energy companies access to Venezuela’s vast oil reserves as part of a potential understanding. Venezuelan officials have also conveyed to Washington that Maduro might be open to stepping down after a transitional period of two to three years – a proposal that the White House has rejected, demanding his immediate departure from power.
This development coincides with the U.S. State Department’s intention to designate the “Cartel de Los Soles” as a terrorist organization. This move is seen as a way to label a segment of the Venezuelan government structure as a terrorist entity, thereby enabling the U.S. administration to pursue military or legal options.
