The Trump administration is considering three options for military action against Venezuela

US considers three options for direct action against Venezuela - NYT

According to The New York Times, Presidential Administration Donald Trump is studying several scenarios for direct military intervention in Venezuela, including air strikes, special forces operations, and more complex plans to seize airfields and oil infrastructure. According to the newspaper, no final decision has been made yet.

Three key scenarios being considered in Washington

1. Air strikes on military targets
   The first option involves conducting air strikes against targets where intelligence assesses that drug trafficking operations may be taking place or that provide military support to the regime. The goal is to undermine the ability of the current government to provide support to partners and continue foreign operations.

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2. Operations of special operations forces to eliminate or capture a leader
   The second scenario involves sending special forces (e.g., elements such as Delta Force or SEAL Team 6) to attempt to capture or assassinate the president Nicolas Maduro. This plan favours the argument that Maduro is acting as the head of a criminal, particularly drug trafficking, group, which, according to supporters of the option, provides a legal basis for such actions.

3. Large-scale land and sea operation to capture airfields and oil facilities
   The third and most difficult approach would involve sending in large contingents of anti-terrorist forces to seize control of key infrastructure, such as airfields and some of the oil fields and terminals. This option would require significant resources and carry high risks of escalation.

Status of the decision and reservations in the White House

According to the NYT, Trump has not yet made a final decision and is cautious about operations that could put the US military at risk or fail. At the same time, a number of senior advisers seem to be pushing for more aggressive options, including the removal of Maduro. Administration officials have not yet publicly confirmed specific plans and have not commented on the NYT's sources.

Possible consequences and risks

Experts warn that any direct military intervention in Venezuela could lead to a military conflict:

• rapid escalation of regional tensions;

• humanitarian crisis due to massive displacement of civilians;

• the risk of direct clashes with forces loyal to the regime;

• serious political and legal consequences for the United States in the international arena.