Leaked ICE memo reveals path to war with Venezuela

The Trump administration is weighing additional military options against Venezuela if the regime of Nicolás Maduro doesn’t step up pressure on drug cartels, military sources tell me.

Attacks could come if Venezuela threatens U.S. forces in the Caribbean, either by shooting down Venezuelan military aircraft or by bombing Venezuelan military airfields. This past week, Venezuelan air force jets buzzed Navy ships gathering north of Venezuela.

Disabling a military airfield is considered one of the lowest risk operations that could be undertaken if the decision is made to attack Venezuela itself, military sources say. Last month as part of the Emerald Warrior 25.2 war game, Air Force commandos rehearsed just such a mission, parachuting three miles off the coast of St. Croix before moving to Henry E. Rohlsen airport. The commandos cleared the runways, established perimeter security and took control of the tower “within minutes”, the Pentagon says.