(C) RTE
WASHINGTON D.C. — The United States is considering a highly provocative psychological operation involving the aerial dispersal of leaflets over Venezuela, timed to coincide with the birthday of President Nicolás Maduro, according to a report by The Washington Post on Friday. This move represents a significant escalation in the Trump administration's campaign to exert maximum pressure on the embattled Venezuelan leader.
Sources familiar with the matter indicate that the White House recently proposed a psychological warfare tactic that would involve U.S. military aircraft scattering leaflets over the capital city of Caracas on Maduro’s 63rd birthday, which falls on November 23rd. While the operation has not yet received formal authorization, the deliberate timing is designed to maximize the psychological impact.
$50 Million Bounty on the Line
The proposed leaflets are expected to prominently feature an announcement of a $50 million (approximately 74 billion KRW) reward for information leading to Maduro’s arrest and conviction. This bounty is part of a broader U.S. strategy that does not involve direct military engagement on Venezuelan soil but aims to incite internal opposition and pressure Maduro into relinquishing power.
This tactic—dropping leaflets ahead of potential military action—is a classic form of psychological warfare intended to intimidate the adversary and undermine morale. The Trump administration has long refused to recognize Maduro as the legitimate head of state and has been steadily intensifying its pressure on his regime.
Escalating Military Posture
The leaflet campaign is unfolding amid a flurry of more kinetic actions and threats from the U.S. military. Since September, U.S. forces operating in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific near Venezuela have sunk several small vessels, resulting in over 80 reported deaths. The administration has justified these strikes as legitimate national security actions against vessels allegedly involved in drug trafficking.
Further increasing tensions, U.S. bombers have conducted flights near the Venezuelan coast under the guise of training exercises, and the Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier strike group recently arrived in the region.
President Trump has publicly stated that he is "somewhat decided" on potential military action against Venezuela and has threatened to expand current operations into a ground war.
New Phase of Operations Imminent
Meanwhile, Reuters reported, citing U.S. government officials, that the United States is preparing to initiate a new phase of Venezuela-related operations within days. According to two officials, the initial stage of this new operation targeting Maduro is likely to involve clandestine activities. Options under consideration reportedly include attempts to engineer Maduro’s removal from power.
The precise timing and scope of this new operation remain unconfirmed, and it is unclear whether President Trump has made a final decision. One senior administration official, speaking to Reuters about the operations targeting Venezuela, stated, "Nothing is off the table."
The official emphasized that "President Trump is prepared to bring the full weight of the United States to bear to stop the flow of drugs into the United States and to hold those responsible accountable."
In a reflection of the heightened military tension, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued an advisory on November 21st, warning airlines operating in Venezuelan airspace. The FAA cited unspecified threats that could pose a risk to aircraft at all altitudes, including those taking off, landing, or on the ground in Venezuela. Consequently, several international carriers, including Brazil's GOL, Colombia's Avianca, and TAP Air Portugal, canceled flights departing from Caracas on the 22nd, further isolating the nation.
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