The President of the United States, Donald Trump, would have authorized new secret actions inside Venezuela to pressure dictator Nicolás Maduro to leave power, according to information from the New York Times this Wednesday (19).
The additional measures that received support from the Republican were allowed after the arrival of the world’s largest aircraft carrier in the Caribbean. The United States would thus be preparing to expand the military campaign in the region, according to several sources consulted by the newspaper.
O Times reported that Trump had approved plans for CIA operations in Venezuela, as a way of preparing the ground for a possible military intervention in the South American country. At the same time, sources told the newspaper that the president had authorized a new round of parallel negotiations with the aim of achieving the resignation of Maduro, who had presented Washington with a proposal to leave power to a few, but which was rejected.
The report cites US government officials who spoke on condition of anonymity and who learned that members of the Chavista regime offered a two- to three-year transition process, with the aim of ensuring an orderly exit. However, the White House considers it unacceptable that Maduro’s departure from power is delayed.
According to the Timesthe military and the CIA prepare options for different scenarios. Among the alternatives is a list of possible drug production facilities that could be attacked. The Pentagon would also be planning attacks against military units close to Maduro.
Other options involve psychological or attrition pressure, as well as cyber and information operations.
The sources said Trump led two meetings in the White House Situation Room last week to discuss the Venezuela situation and review options with his top aides.
Also last week, the president said publicly that he would be willing to talk to Maduro and that he had already made a decision on Venezuela, but did not want to reveal details. In parallel, the Pentagon announced Operation Southern Spear, with a historic naval mobilization in the Caribbean: the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford, several warships and around 12,000 troops, according to American officials.
