CIA considering plot to overthrow Maduro

Four officials said the US is preparing to launch a new phase of operations related to Venezuela in the coming days.

It's unclear whether Donald Trump has made any final decisions on which operations to launch or when.

This comes after weeks of reports that the US is considering military action, including deploying troops to the Caribbean amid deteriorating relations with the Latin American country.

Two US officials said the covert operation would likely be the first phase of new action against Venezuelan President Maduro.

A senior administration official did not rule out any involvement with Venezuela.

"President Trump is prepared to use every aspect of US power to stop the flow of drugs into our country and bring those responsible to justice," the official told Reuters on condition of anonymity.

Drug Trafficking Allegations Drive Strategy

The Trump administration is considering attacking Venezuela to counter Mr. Maduro's role in supplying illegal drugs that have killed Americans. He has denied any links to the drug trade.

Mr. Maduro, who has been in power since 2013, said Mr. Trump wanted to remove him and that Venezuela's citizens and military would resist any such attempt.

The Venezuelan president, who celebrates his 63rd birthday on Sunday, attended the premiere of a television series based on his life at Caracas' main theater last night.

Military preparations have been underway in the Caribbean for several months, and Mr. Trump has already approved a covert CIA operation in Venezuela.

The US Federal Aviation Administration on Friday warned major airlines of a "potentially dangerous situation" when flying over Venezuela, urging them to exercise caution. Three international airlines canceled flights to and from Venezuela on Saturday following the FAA's warning.

Officials said the United States plans to designate the Cartel de los Soles as a foreign terrorist organization on Monday for its alleged role in importing illegal drugs into the United States.

The Trump administration has accused Mr. Maduro of leading the Cartel de los Soles, a charge he denies. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said last week that the terrorist designation "opens up a lot of new options for the United States."

Mr. Trump said the upcoming designation would allow the US to attack Mr. Maduro's assets and infrastructure in Venezuela, but he also expressed a willingness to pursue diplomatic dialogue.

Two US officials acknowledged that discussions have taken place between the two countries, but it is unclear whether those discussions could impact the timing or scale of US operations.

US Military Presence Increases in the Caribbean

The US Navy's largest aircraft carrier, the Gerald R. Ford, arrived in the Caribbean on November 16 with its strike group, joined by at least seven other warships, a nuclear submarine, and F-35 aircraft.

US forces in the region have so far focused on counter-narcotics operations, even though the firepower amassed far exceeds anything they typically require.

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

In August, Washington doubled the reward for information leading to Mr. Maduro's arrest to $50 million.

The CIA declined to comment.