US officials are weighing a plan to drop leaflets over Caracas, aiming to remind Venezuelans of the $50 million bounty on Nicolás Maduro and urge his military backers to turn against him. This move comes amid a broader push by the Trump administration to dismantle Maduro’s hold on power, following his disputed claim to victory in the July 2024 elections where opposition tallies showed him losing by a wide margin.
The leaflets would serve as a direct message to Maduro’s inner circle, potentially timed for his 63rd birthday today. As one source told CBS News, the operation remains unauthorized but could proceed soon.
President Trump, when asked about military intervention, said, “No, I don’t rule out that. I don’t rule out anything. We just have to take care of Venezuela.”
Maduro, who has ruled since 2013, faces accusations from the US of running a drug cartel that floods American streets with narcotics. The administration has already labeled the Cartel de los Soles a foreign terrorist organization, a step experts see as paving the way for tougher actions. In recent weeks, US forces have carried out over 20 strikes on suspected drug vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stating these target cartels and traffickers.
The pressure extends beyond the seas. Around 15,000 US troops are positioned in the region, backed by naval ships like the USS Gerald R. Ford and guided missile destroyers. Fighter jets in Puerto Rico add to the show of force, while airlines have suspended flights to Venezuela citing security risks in the airspace. Maduro has signaled willingness for direct talks with Trump, but skepticism runs deep given his history of clinging to power through rigged votes and alliances with adversaries like Russia and China, who some believe quietly prop up his regime to counter American influence.
A recent US government exercise simulated Maduro’s ouster, predicting potential chaos and violence in the aftermath, a reminder of the stakes involved. Trump confirmed authorizing CIA operations in Venezuela last month, echoing his first term’s approach but with renewed urgency to stem the flow of drugs and restore stability. As Maduro digs in, refusing to recognize the opposition’s win, the leaflet idea represents a low-risk way to erode loyalty within his ranks, possibly avoiding the need for boots on the ground.
Venezuela’s collapse under socialist policies has driven millions to flee, burdening neighbors and the US border. With bounties on Maduro and his allies, the administration seeks to empower locals to reclaim their country from what it calls a narco-state. Maduro responded to the escalating tensions by appearing on state TV, but details remain sparse. If the leaflets fly, they could mark a turning point in exposing the fractures in his control.
