Exclusive-US to launch new phase of Venezuela operations, sources say

U.S. officials told Reuters the administration is poised to launch a new phase of Venezuela-related operations in the coming days, with covert CIA activity likely to be the first element though timing and scope are unsettled and it is unclear whether President Trump has made a final decision. The White House plans to designate the Cartel de los Soles as a foreign terrorist organization — a move U.S. officials say would expand authorities to strike Maduro-linked assets and infrastructure — and has backed a significant military buildup in the Caribbean, including the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford, alongside a pattern of strikes on alleged drug boats. For investors, the developments materially raise geopolitical risk and the potential for disruption to Venezuelan energy and regional stability, while legal and reputational concerns persist due to criticism of U.S. strikes and uncertainty remains as diplomatic contacts continue.

Analysis

U.S. officials told Reuters the administration is poised to launch a new phase of Venezuela-related operations in the coming days, with covert CIA operations likely to be the first element though timing and scope remain unsettled and it is unclear whether the president has made a final decision. The White House plans to designate the Cartel de los Soles as a foreign terrorist organization on Monday, a move officials say would expand authorities to strike Maduro-linked assets and infrastructure and follows an August increase in the reward for information on Maduro to $50 million.

A significant military buildup is already in place: the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford arrived in the Caribbean on November 16 and is joined by at least seven other warships, a nuclear submarine and F-35 aircraft, while U.S. forces have conducted at least 21 strikes since September that Reuters says killed at least 83 people. The FAA issued a warning that prompted three international airlines to cancel flights, highlighting immediate operational and transport disruption risks.

These developments raise materially elevated geopolitical risk to Venezuelan energy and regional stability, create legal and reputational concerns after criticism of strikes, and introduce execution uncertainty given ongoing diplomatic contacts; sentiment metrics attached to the story are moderately negative with a hawkish tone and a market-impact score of 0.6, and themes include Geopolitics & War and Infrastructure & Defense.

Key Decisions for Investors

• Reduce or hedge direct exposure to Venezuela-linked energy assets and Latin American sovereign or corporate debt that could be affected by escalating U.S. actions
• Monitor oil and shipping-route volatility closely and use short-dated hedges or options to protect positions sensitive to sudden supply or transit disruptions
• Consider selective, tactical exposure to defense and infrastructure suppliers that could benefit from an extended U.S. military presence while limiting duration risk
• Avoid investments tied to Venezuelan state assets or firms that could be targeted by sanctions or designation and maintain higher liquidity until timing and scope of operations become clear