The Trump administration is gearing up for what could be a significant escalation in its approach to Venezuela, with covert operations potentially kicking off a new phase targeting President Nicolas Maduro's regime.

What's Being Considered

According to four U.S. officials speaking anonymously, covert operations could mark the opening moves in this strategy. The exact timing remains unclear, and it's uncertain whether President Donald Trump has given final approval for specific actions.

The options on the table are substantial. Two officials indicated that potential scenarios include the overthrow of Maduro himself. U.S. military forces have already begun deploying to the Caribbean, ratcheting up regional tensions. Neither the Pentagon nor the CIA would comment on the reports, though a senior administration official confirmed that all options remain under consideration.

Turning Up the Heat

The pressure campaign extends beyond military positioning. The U.S. plans to designate the Cartel de los Soles as a foreign terrorist organization on Monday, with accusations that Maduro leads the organization.

Maduro denies these allegations and has accused Trump of orchestrating efforts to remove him from power. Meanwhile, the U.S. Navy's largest aircraft carrier, the Gerald R. Ford, has arrived in Caribbean waters, joining other military assets already stationed in the region.

Concerns About What Comes Next

The escalating pressure has rekindled fears about Venezuela's future stability. During Trump's first term, U.S. officials ran war games simulating the aftermath of Maduro's potential fall from power. Those exercises projected violence and chaos as competing factions would likely battle for control of the oil-rich nation.

Douglas Farah, a Latin America security consultant, offered a grim assessment: Venezuela could face "chaos for a sustained period of time with no possibility of ending it."

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has requested a classified briefing from Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the military operations, voicing concerns about potential conflict. Schumer stressed the importance of congressional consultation, stating, "The last thing Americans want right now is another endless war."

Former national security adviser John Bolton characterized Trump's approach as having "put the gun on the table" in dealings with Maduro, acknowledging the increased military pressure while suggesting talks might still be possible. Bolton also noted that drug smugglers would simply adapt to U.S. actions, with cartels finding new routes for narcotics regardless of enforcement efforts.