Venezuelan Defense Minister Says U.S. Might Send Special Forces To Carry Out Targeted Assassinations

Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez said the U.S. might send special forces to the country to carry out targeted assassinations, as well as sabotages to strategic assets, as tensions with Washington remain high.

"There are many ways to attack and disturb us, not just through a military attack from the Caribbean but also the entry of special forces to carry out disruptive actions, including sabotaging the electrical and gas systems, train tracks, targeted assassinations," Padrino Lopez said during a televised address.

The official went on to say his goal is to be "realistic" about the "irrationality with which the American imperialism acts." "As a military leader I have to always assume the worst. I want to alert the population, we must be ready," he added.

In this context, the country's authoritarian government activated its "Independence Plan 200," a series of drills aimed at protecting strategic assets. "Venezuela is mobilizing in an organized manner," said Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello.

He went on to say that Venezuelans are "peaceful" but warned that they have been "actively" preparing "in all fronts to resist, for as long as needed, from the attacks that want to be conducted on the country."

Authoritarian President Nicolas Maduro, on his end, said the drill involves "27 tasks to accomplish and ensure the protection of La Guaira and Carabobo's Integral Defense Zone."

The drills come days after U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly ended all diplomatic outreach to Venezuela, instructing envoy Richard Grenell to cease all efforts as he grows frustrated with Maduro's reluctance to relinquish power.

Trump is also frustrated that Maduro keeps rejecting any ties with drug cartels, The New York Times reported. Officials told the outlet that the administration has drawn up multiple military plans for an eventual escalation.

So far, the U.S. military has conducted at least four strikes on vessels it claimed were trafficking drugs that would ultimately end up in the U.S. However, some of the new plans could also seek the ousting of Maduro, the outlet added.