U.S. President Donald Trump has authorized a multi-pronged strategy to pressure Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, including covert CIA operations, military deployments, and back-channel negotiations, according to the New York Times. The plan involves military, psychological, and information pressure with potential for sabotage or cyber operations. The White House maintains that Maduro is an illegitimate ruler linked to cartels, while the Venezuelan leader denies these allegations and has warned against military confrontation. The situation has escalated with Russia reaffirming its support for Venezuela’s sovereignty, and its military placed on high, alert in response to U.S. military buildup.