President Donald Trump is contemplating a range of military strategies against the regime of Nicolás Maduro, including direct strikes on Venezuelan units, seizing oil fields, and covert CIA operations within the South American nation. This information was disclosed by The New York Times on Tuesday.
The report, which drew on multiple U.S. officials, indicated that the White House has devised three potential plans of action, although the president has yet to make a final decision.
Among the discussed options are selective airstrikes targeting military bases that support the chavismo regime; special operations by elite forces such as Delta Force or SEAL Team 6 to capture or eliminate Maduro; and a limited deployment of U.S. troops to seize key airfields and oil fields in the Zulia region.
The publication noted that the Department of Justice is working on a legal justification to allow the president to order these attacks without congressional approval, claiming that Maduro leads a narcoterrorist organization known as the 'Cartel of the Suns.'
This designation would enable the administration to consider him a legitimate target, notwithstanding the legal prohibition against assassinating foreign leaders.
"The president has been clear: Maduro must stop sending drugs and criminals to the United States," White House spokesperson Anna Kelly told the NYT. "Everything else is speculation."
The report also highlighted that Secretary of State Marco Rubio, acting National Security Advisor, and Stephen Miller, a senior advisor to Trump, are major proponents of direct action. They argue that Maduro will only be ousted by force, though the president has expressed concerns about the political and military risks of a failed intervention.
Additionally, the New York Times article detailed an accelerated military buildup in the Caribbean, involving 10,000 troops, B-52 and B-1 bombers, and the USS Gerald R. Ford, the largest aircraft carrier in the world, expected to arrive in the region by mid-November.
The newspaper describes these maneuvers as part of a psychological pressure campaign against the chavista regime.
Trump has publicly stated that "Maduro's days are numbered," yet denied that the country is moving towards open warfare. However, the NYT asserts that his administration seeks a "legal basis" to eliminate the Venezuelan leader or precipitate his internal collapse without formally declaring hostilities.
The report also revealed that Maduro offered oil and mining concessions to Washington to prevent escalation, but Trump rejected the proposal in October, hastening the military buildup.
According to the New York paper, the White House views the fall of chavismo as a strategic opportunity to secure energy resources and weaken Russian and Iranian influence in the hemisphere.
Trump's Military Strategy and its Implications for Venezuela
What military actions is Trump considering against Venezuela?
Trump is considering several military actions, including direct strikes on Venezuelan military units, operations to seize oil fields, and covert CIA activities within Venezuela.
Why is the Trump administration considering these actions?
The administration believes that Nicolás Maduro leads a narcoterrorist organization and sees an opportunity to secure energy resources while diminishing Russian and Iranian influence in the region.
Who are the main advocates for military intervention in Venezuela?
Secretary of State Marco Rubio and senior advisor Stephen Miller are the main proponents of direct military action against Maduro's regime.
What has been Maduro's response to the potential military threat?
Maduro has attempted to offer oil and mining concessions to Washington to avert an escalation, though this proposal was rejected by Trump.