U.S. Considers Dropping Leaflets in Venezuela as It Ramps Up Pressure on Maduro.
The Trump administration, in an intensifying campaign to undermine Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, recently weighed the tactical use of psychological warfare, specifically discussing the possibility of dropping leaflets over Caracas. This consideration, emerging amidst a broad spectrum of escalating pressures, underscores Washington’s determined strategy to destabilize Maduro’s authoritarian regime, which it views as illegitimate and deeply entrenched in criminal enterprises. The discussions, held on a Saturday, floated the possibility of implementing this operation as early as Sunday, a date notably coinciding with Maduro’s 63rd birthday, a detail that would amplify the symbolic messaging of dissent and external pressure directly to the Venezuelan populace.
Sources familiar with the internal deliberations told CBS News that the leaflet operation was conceived as a non-kinetic but impactful form of psychological warfare, designed to erode public confidence in Maduro and encourage further internal opposition. While not yet authorized, the proposal highlighted a willingness within the administration to explore diverse methods beyond traditional diplomatic and economic sanctions. The Washington Post was the first to report on this specific proposed leaflet campaign, drawing immediate attention to the increasingly unconventional tactics being considered by the U.S. in its bid to force a leadership change in Caracas.
Psychological operations (PSYOPs), such as leaflet drops, have a long history in military and political conflicts, aiming to influence the emotions, motives, objective reasoning, and ultimately the behavior of foreign governments, organizations, groups, and individuals. In the Venezuelan context, such leaflets could convey messages designed to delegitimize Maduro, highlight the humanitarian crisis under his rule, inform citizens about international support for democratic transition, or even encourage members of the military or government to defect. The choice of Caracas, the nation’s capital and a critical stronghold for the regime, as the target for these drops, signals an intent to directly challenge Maduro’s authority in his own backyard and reach a wide urban audience.
The proposed leaflet drop is merely one facet of a multi-pronged and aggressive pressure campaign that the U.S. has been ratcheting up against Maduro over the past several months. This campaign has encompassed a significant military buildup in the region, a series of live-fire exercises intended to project power and readiness, and numerous strikes on vessels alleged to be involved in drug trafficking in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific. These actions collectively aim to isolate Maduro, cripple his illicit financial networks, and demonstrate the robust capabilities of the United States to act decisively in the region.
When directly questioned on Monday regarding the possibility of sending U.S. troops into Venezuela, then-President Trump explicitly stated he would not rule out such an extreme measure. "No, I don’t rule out that," the president asserted, adding, "I don’t rule out anything. We just have to take care of Venezuela." This statement reinforced the administration’s stance that all options, including military intervention, remained on the table, thereby maintaining a constant state of apprehension within the Maduro regime.
In a seemingly contradictory move on the same day, President Maduro indicated his openness to "face-to-face" discussions with Mr. Trump. This overture from Maduro could be interpreted as an attempt to de-escalate tensions, seek a diplomatic off-ramp, or perhaps gain a degree of international legitimacy by engaging directly with the U.S. president. However, given the deep mistrust and adversarial relationship, the likelihood of such high-level talks materializing or yielding significant breakthroughs remained exceedingly low.
Further intensifying the pressure, Mr. Trump had previously confirmed, just last month, that he had authorized the CIA to conduct covert operations within Venezuela. While the specific nature of these operations was not disclosed, such authorizations typically involve intelligence gathering, supporting opposition movements, conducting sabotage, or engaging in disinformation campaigns aimed at undermining the target regime. The use of covert action signals a shift to more clandestine and potentially disruptive measures beyond overt military posturing and public diplomacy.
The military component of the pressure campaign has been particularly robust. The Pentagon has reported conducting at least 21 strikes since early September against alleged drug boats, operations that have reportedly resulted in the deaths of at least 80 individuals. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth publicly maintained that these strikes were specifically designed to target cartels and drug traffickers. However, a significant point of contention and concern has been the U.S. government’s failure to provide concrete evidence that the vessels struck were indeed carrying illicit drugs, leading to accusations of using counter-narcotics operations as a pretext for broader military pressure on Venezuela. Critics and some international observers have called for greater transparency and accountability regarding these strikes, especially in light of the casualties.
The sheer scale of the U.S. military presence in the region underscores the seriousness of Washington’s intent. Approximately 15,000 U.S. troops are currently deployed in the broader Caribbean and Latin American area. A Navy official further elaborated last week on the naval assets, detailing four military ships in the western Atlantic, including the USS Gerald R. Ford, the world’s most advanced aircraft carrier, accompanied by three guided-missile destroyers. In the Caribbean, an additional seven military ships were deployed, comprising two guided-missile destroyers, two guided-missile cruisers, an amphibious assault ship, and two amphibious transport dock ships. The presence of the USS Gerald R. Ford, a supercarrier capable of launching dozens of advanced fighter jets and projecting immense power, sends an unmistakable signal of overwhelming force and readiness for any contingency. Complementing these naval deployments, several dozen U.S. fighter jets are also stationed in Puerto Rico, strategically positioned to provide air support and conduct surveillance over the region.
The U.S. pressure campaign is rooted in its firm conviction that Nicolás Maduro lacks legitimate authority to govern Venezuela. Maduro, who assumed the presidency in 2013 following the death of Hugo Chávez, faced widespread international outcry after declaring victory in Venezuela’s presidential elections in July 2024. This declaration came despite compelling results indicating he had lost by a substantial margin to the opposition candidate. The election was widely condemned by numerous international bodies and countries, including the U.S., which cited significant irregularities, voter suppression, and the disqualification of leading opposition figures. Consequently, the U.S. is one of several nations that explicitly does not recognize Maduro as Venezuela’s legitimate president, instead supporting opposition leader Juan Guaidó.
Beyond the issue of democratic legitimacy, the Trump administration has also leveled severe accusations against Maduro, alleging that he operates a vast drug cartel responsible for funneling narcotics into the United States. This accusation escalated dramatically with the U.S. Department of Justice issuing an indictment against Maduro and several of his close associates, offering an unprecedented $50 million reward for information leading to his arrest and/or conviction. This move effectively branded a sitting head of state as a wanted criminal, further isolating Maduro on the international stage and complicating any potential future diplomatic engagement.
Venezuela, under Maduro’s rule, has simultaneously plunged into an unprecedented economic and humanitarian crisis. Years of mismanagement, corruption, and the collapse of oil prices, exacerbated by stringent U.S. sanctions, have led to hyperinflation, severe shortages of food, medicine, and basic necessities. Millions of Venezuelans have fled the country, creating one of the largest refugee crises in recent global history, putting immense strain on neighboring countries. Reports from human rights organizations and the United Nations have consistently documented widespread human rights abuses, including political repression, arbitrary detentions, torture, and extrajudicial killings carried out by security forces and paramilitary groups.
The multifaceted U.S. strategy, encompassing psychological warfare, overt military posturing, covert operations, and criminal indictments, represents an aggressive and high-stakes approach to resolving the Venezuelan crisis. While aimed at restoring democracy and combating illicit activities, it carries inherent risks of escalation, unintended consequences, and further destabilization of an already fragile region. The consideration of dropping leaflets, though seemingly minor in the grand scheme of military might, symbolizes a persistent and innovative effort by the U.S. to directly communicate with the Venezuelan people and intensify the psychological pressure on a regime it is determined to see fall. The future of Venezuela, and the effectiveness of this comprehensive pressure campaign, remains a critical and uncertain geopolitical challenge.
Eleanor Watson and Charlie D’Agata contributed to this report.
