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U.S. Weighs Leaflet Drop Over Caracas as Pressure on Maduro Escalates

The U.S. government considered dropping leaflets over Caracas as a psychological operation to increase pressure on President Nicolás Maduro; the plan was not authorized. The move comes amid a larger U.S. escalation that includes roughly 15,000 troops in the region, multiple warships and several dozen fighter jets. U.S. officials say at least 21 strikes since early September have killed about 80 people, and the administration has authorized covert CIA activity and offered a $50 million reward related to Maduro.

01:56 PM, 11/23/2025Conflict
U.S. Weighs Leaflet Drop Over Caracas as Pressure on Maduro Escalates

Senior officials in the Trump administration reviewed a plan to distribute U.S.-produced leaflets over Caracas as part of a psychological-operations campaign aimed at increasing pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The idea under discussion was not authorized and reportedly could have been timed for Maduro's 63rd birthday.

The proposal was one element of a broader U.S. escalation that has included a substantial military presence in the region, live-fire exercises, targeted strikes and authorized covert activity. U.S. officials say the measures are intended to disrupt criminal networks and pressure the Maduro government, but public evidence tying the targets to drug trafficking has not always been presented.

U.S. military posture and operations

Approximately 15,000 U.S. personnel are currently deployed in the region. U.S. Navy assets in the area reportedly include multiple surface ships — among them a modern aircraft carrier — guided-missile destroyers, cruisers, an amphibious assault ship and transport dock ships. Several dozen U.S. fighter jets are positioned in Puerto Rico.

Officials say the Pentagon has conducted at least 21 strikes since early September, which U.S. authorities assert have killed roughly 80 people. Defense and other U.S. officials characterize the operations as aimed at cartels and drug traffickers; however, public evidence identifying the vessels struck as carrying illegal narcotics has not been released.

Political and covert actions

President Trump said he would not rule out deploying U.S. troops to Venezuela, saying, "No, I don't rule out that. I don't rule out anything. We just have to take care of Venezuela." Separately, the administration has confirmed authorization for covert CIA activity inside Venezuela.

Maduro, who has governed Venezuela since 2013, said he would be open to "face-to-face" talks with President Trump. The United States and several other countries do not recognize Maduro as Venezuela's legitimate president following disputed election results in July 2024. The U.S. government has accused Maduro of facilitating a drug-trafficking network and has offered a $50 million reward for information leading to his arrest.

What to watch next

Key developments to monitor include any formal authorization of psychological-operations measures, additional public evidence from U.S. officials about recent strikes, shifts in regional military posture, and whether direct diplomatic talks between Maduro and the U.S. administration are arranged.

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