According to reports, people familiar with the matter revealed that after removing Maduro from power, the Trump administration is betting on threatening further military action to risk a similar outcome for core members of the Venezuelan leadership, thereby deterring them from complying with US demands. According to three people familiar with US strategy, Trump's advisers also believe that despite acting President Rodriguez's tough attitude in public, she is viewed as a technocrat and may be willing to cooperate behind the scenes with the US on political transitions and key oil issues. Trump vowed on Saturday to “take over” post-Maduro Venezuela. Currently, it seems more like an attempt to exert external control over the US ground forces without deploying them. However, US officials believe that by maintaining a large-scale military build-up off the coast of Venezuela, continuing to release further air raids, targeted attacks on Maduro loyalists, and even the threat of sending US military forces at the last moment, the Venezuelan authorities can still be forced to cooperate. Another important tool of pressure is the continued maintenance of the “quarantine” of Venezuelan oil transportation, which is the main financial lifeblood of the country's government.

According to reports, people familiar with the matter revealed that after removing Maduro from power, the Trump administration is betting on threatening further military action to risk a similar outcome for core members of the Venezuelan leadership, thereby deterring them from complying with US demands. According to three people familiar with US strategy, Trump's advisers also believe that despite acting President Rodriguez's tough attitude in public, she is viewed as a technocrat and may be willing to cooperate behind the scenes with the US on political transitions and key oil issues. Trump vowed on Saturday to “take over” post-Maduro Venezuela. Currently, it seems more like an attempt to exert external control over the US ground forces without deploying them. However, US officials believe that by maintaining a large-scale military build-up off the coast of Venezuela, continuing to release further air raids, targeted attacks on Maduro loyalists, and even the threat of sending US military forces at the last moment, the Venezuelan authorities can still be forced to cooperate. Another important tool of pressure is the continued maintenance of the “quarantine” of Venezuelan oil transportation, which is the main financial lifeblood of the country's government.