U.S. considers dropping leaflets in Venezuela because it ramps up stress on Maduro, sources say

Officers within the Trump administration on Saturday mentioned the potential of dropping leaflets on Venezuela’s capital metropolis of Caracas because it seeks to weaken the regime of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

Among the many potential avenues mentioned relating to operations for Venezuela was dropping U.S. leaflets on Caracas as a form of psychological warfare to stress Maduro, a number of U.S. officers acquainted with the talks instructed CBS Information.

The operation, which was not but approved, may probably happen Sunday, the officers mentioned, which is Maduro’s 63rd birthday.  

The Washington Submit was first to report on the proposed leaflet operation.     

Over the previous few months, the U.S. has ratcheted up the stress on Maduro in a number of methods, together with an in depth navy buildup within the area, reside hearth workout routines, and strikes on alleged drug boats within the Caribbean and Japanese Pacific.

When requested Monday, President Trump mentioned he would not rule out sending U.S. troops into Venezuela.

“No, I do not rule out that,” the president mentioned. “I do not rule out something. We simply must care for Venezuela.”

For his half, Maduro on the identical day mentioned he can be open to “face-to-face” discussions with Mr. Trump.

Final month, Mr. Trump additionally confirmed that he has approved the CIA to enter Venezuela and conduct covert operations.

The Pentagon has performed no less than 21 strikes since early September, killing no less than 80 individuals. Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth has mentioned the strikes are designed to focus on cartels and drug traffickers, though it has not offered proof that the vessels struck thus far had been carrying medication.

There are presently about 15,000 U.S. troops within the area. A Navy official instructed CBS Information final week that the U.S. had 4 navy ships within the western Atlantic, together with the usGerald R. Ford, the world’s most superior plane provider, and three guided missile destroyers. It had one other seven navy ships within the Caribbean, the official mentioned, which included two guided missile destroyers, two guided missile cruisers, an amphibious assault ship and two amphibious transport dock ships.

There are additionally a number of dozen U.S. fighter jets stationed in Puerto Rico.

Maduro, who has led Venezuela since 2013, confronted a global outcry when he declared victory in Venezuela’s presidential elections in July 2024 regardless of outcomes displaying he had misplaced by a big margin to the opposition candidate.

The U.S. is one in all a number of nations that doesn’t acknowledge him as Venezuela’s president. The Trump administration has accused him of working a cartel that funnels medication into the U.S., and has supplied a $50 million reward for info resulting in his arrest.