Trump escalates Venezuela offensive with covert ops, military buildup

The United States is poised to launch a new phase of Venezuela-related operations in the coming days, four US officials told Reuters, as the Trump administration escalates pressure on President Nicolas Maduro's government.

Reports of looming action have proliferated in recent weeks as the US military 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.

Two US officials said that the options under consideration included attempting to overthrow Maduro, who has been in power since 2013. He has contended that Trump seeks to oust him and that Venezuelan citizens and the military will resist any such attempt.

A military buildup in the Caribbean has been underway for months, and Trump has authorised covert CIA operations in Venezuela. The US Federal Aviation Administration on Friday warned major airlines of a "potentially hazardous situation" when flying over Venezuela. Three international airlines cancelled flights departing from Venezuela on Saturday after the FAA warning.

Read: Venezuela terms US naval buildup a ‘criminal threat’

The US plans to designate the Cartel de los Soles a foreign terrorist organisation for its alleged role in importing illegal drugs into the US, officials said. The Trump administration has accused Maduro of leading the cartel, 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 diplomatic talks.

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 Gerald R Ford, arrived in the Caribbean on November 16 with its strike group, joining at least seven other warships, a nuclear submarine and F-35 aircraft. US forces in the region so far have focused on counter-narcotics operations.

US troops have carried out at least 21 strikes on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean and Pacific since September, killing at least 83 people. Human rights groups have condemned the strikes as illegal extrajudicial killings of civilians, and some US allies have expressed concern that Washington may be violating international law.

Read More: Brazil warns against US intervention in Venezuela

Washington, in August, doubled its reward for information leading to Maduro's arrest to $50 million. Further, the US military dwarfs Venezuela's, which is debilitated by a lack of training, low wages and deteriorating equipment. Some unit commanders have been forced to negotiate with local food producers to feed their troops as government supplies fall short.

That reality has led Maduro's government to consider alternative strategies in the event of a US invasion, including a guerrilla-style response, which the government has termed "prolonged resistance" and mentioned in broadcasts on state television.