The CIA is considering launching covert operations in a bid to topple Nicolas Maduro’s government in Venezuela.
The United States is gearing up to launch a new phase of Venezuela-related operations in the coming days, four officials said.
It was not clear if Donald Trump had made a final call on which operations to launch or when to act.
It follows weeks of reports that the US is considering military action, with the US deploying forces to the Caribbean amid worsening relations with the Latin American country.
Two US officials said covert operations would likely be the first part of the new action against president Maduro.
A senior administration official did not rule anything out regarding Venezuela.
“President Trump is prepared to use every element of American power to stop drugs from flooding into our country and to bring those responsible to justice,” the official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told Reuters.
The Trump administration has been weighing attacking Venezuela to combat what it has portrayed as Mr Maduro’s role in supplying illegal drugs that have killed Americans. He has denied having any links to the drug trade.
Mr Maduro, in power since 2013, said that Mr Trump sought to oust him and that Venezuelan citizens and the military would resist any such attempt.
The Venezuelan president, who celebrates his 63rd birthday on Sunday, appeared at Caracas’ main theatre on Saturday night for the premiere of a television series based on his life.
Mr Maduro waved to supporters as he and his wife, Cilia Flores, arrived at the National Theatre of Venezuela in Caracas on Saturday – JUAN BARRETO
A military build-up in the Caribbean has been underway for months, and Mr Trump has already 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 and urged them to exercise caution.
Three international airlines cancelled flights departing from Venezuela on Saturday after the FAA warning.
The United States plans on Monday to designate the Cartel de los Soles a foreign terrorist organisation for its alleged role in importing illegal drugs into the United States, officials said.
The Trump administration has accused Mr Maduro of leading Cartel de los Soles, which he denies.
Pete Hegseth, the defence secretary, said last week that the terrorist designation “brings a whole bunch of new options to the United States.”
Mr Trump said the upcoming designation would allow the US to strike Mr Maduro’s assets and infrastructure in Venezuela, but he also has indicated a willingness to potentially pursue diplomatic talks.
Two US officials acknowledged that talks had taken place between the two countries, but it remained unclear whether those conversations could impact the timing or scale of American operations.
The US Navy’s largest aircraft carrier, the Gerald R. Ford, arrived in the Caribbean on Nov 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, even though the assembled firepower far outweighs anything typically needed for them.
American 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 growing concerns that Washington may be violating international law.
Washington in August doubled its reward for information leading to Mr Maduro’s arrest to $50m.
The CIA declined to comment.
