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The U.S. government would have decided to enter a new phase of operations against the regime of Venezuela in the coming days.
The news was communicated to Reuters by four officials from the Trump Administration. One of whom stated that the options under consideration included attempts to overthrow Maduro.
The news agency, however, could not determine the exact timing or scope of the new operations, nor whether U.S. President Donald Trump had made the final decision to act.
However, two officials who spoke on condition of anonymity and were cited by Reuters stated that covert operations could be the next step against Maduro's regime.
The CIA and the White House did not comment on the matter.
Two U.S. officials stated that. The four officials quoted in this article spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the imminent action by the United States.
“President Trump is willing to use all the resources of U.S. power to prevent drugs from continuing to flow into our country and to bring those responsible to justice,” said one of the officials
Airlines cancel flights to Venezuela following U.S. warning.
This Saturday it was announced that six international airlines temporarily suspended their operations in Venezuela following a security warning issued by the United States.
The Spanish airline Iberia, the Portuguese TAP, the Colombian Avianca, the Trinidadian Caribbean Airlines, the Brazilian GOL, and the Chilean LATAM suspended their flights to and from Venezuela this Saturday.
The decision came after the Federal Aviation Administration of the United States (FAA) warned of an "increased military activity" and a deterioration of security conditions in the airspace of the Caribbean nation.
The president of the Venezuelan Airlines Association (ALAV), Marisela de Loaiza, confirmed to EFE that the six airlines chose to cancel their operations in light of the warning, which particularly impacts the flight information region of Maiquetía, where international arrivals and departures are concentrated.
The Spanish newspaper El País also reported that the FAA has not prohibited flights over Venezuela, but has recommended that airlines "exercise extreme caution" due to "a potential risk situation" associated with the increase in military maneuvers within or around Venezuelan territory.
The notice, which will be in effect until February 19, also requires companies to provide a 72-hour advance notice if they plan to enter Venezuelan airspace.
The regional context adds greater concern. El País notes that the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Gerald Ford, the largest and most advanced in the world, has recently joined Washington's naval deployment in the Caribbean as part of Operation Southern Lance, a campaign that the United States presents as a fight against drug trafficking but has generated political tensions and speculation about possible actions against the government of Nicolás Maduro.
Maduro dancing: "No one can stop me"
On Friday, for his part, the ruler Nicolás Maduro once again made a fool of himself dancing to the rhythm of a song that features his unique attempt to speak in English.
"No war, no crazy war, no, no, no, how do you say it in English? Peace, peace, yes peace," Maduro is heard repeating and singing along to the music on Friday during a celebration of Student Day in Caracas.
"It's Friday, and what happens on Friday? What are we going to do today? Venezuela in peace, Friday night is all about partying, let's party! It's Friday, and I'm going out to party! And no one is stopping me!" was heard from the gathering of students.
Amid tensions with the U.S., the Venezuelan dictator asserted that U.S. "threats" will not stop him.
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