US looks to drop leaflets in Venezuela as it puts pressure on Maduro, sources say

Trump administration officials on Saturday discussed the possibility of dropping leaflets on Venezuela’s capital city as it seeks to weaken the regime of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

Among the available viruses that have been discussed about the operation of Venezuela, the US dropped leaflets in Caracas as a kind of psychological warfare to suppress Maduro, many American officials in general and speeches told CBS news.

The operation, which has not yet been approved, is likely to be carried out on Sunday, officials said, which is Maduro’s 63rd birthday.

The Washington Post first reported on the proposed pamphlet work.

In the past few months, the US has taken pressure off Maduro in a number of ways, including an extensive military structure in the region, Live Fire Exerciseand strikes on suspected drug boats in the Caribbean and East Pacific.

When asked on Monday, President Trump said he would not be able to send troops to Venezuela.

“No, I’m not revealing that,” said the President. “I’m not asking for anything. We just have to take care of Venezuela.”

For his part, Maduro on the same day he said He will be open to face-to-face talks with Mr. Trump.

Last month, Mr. Trump and confirmed it That he authorized the CIA to enter Venezuela and conduct covert operations.

The Pentagon did at least 21 strikes Since the beginning of September, it has killed at least 80 people. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the strikes were aimed at targeting cartels and drug traffickers, although It did not provide evidence that the ships were hit so hard that they took drugs.

There are currently approximately 15,000 US troops in the region. A naval officer told CBS News last week that the US had four warships in the western Atlantic, including the USS Gerald R. Ford, which carries the world’s most advanced aircraft carrier, and three guided-missile destroyers. It had seven other warships in the Caribbean, the official said, which included guided-missile destroyers, two guided-missile cruisers, an amphibious assault ship and two transport ships.

There are also a few US Fighter jets Stopped in Puerto Rico.

Maduro, who has led Venezuela since 2013, faced international outcry when he announced that he had won Venezuela’s presidential election in July 2024. Despite the results showing He had lost by a large margin to the opposition.

The US is one of several countries that does not recognize him as the President of Venezuela. The Trump administration accused him of using a cartel that enjoys drugs in the US, and offered a $50 million reward for information leading to his arrest.

Eleanor Watson and Charlie D’Agata contributed to this report.