The NYT reported on increased US military pressure to oust the Venezuelan president

Influential supporters of US President Donald Trump, led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have stepped up efforts to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro from power. To do this, they are increasing military pressure, The New York Times (NYT) reported on September 29.

According to the newspaper, Rubio, who is also a national security adviser, is developing a tougher strategy using CIA intelligence data.

Rubio claims that Maduro is an illegitimate leader who controls the export of drugs to the United States, which, in his words, poses an "imminent threat," the publication says.

This position is shared by CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Trump's senior domestic policy adviser Stephen Miller. According to the newspaper, the US military command is already preparing plans for operations in Venezuela against people suspected of drug trafficking, although the White House has not yet given official approval for this.

The Trump administration is considering removing Maduro as part of an anti-drug trafficking operation, citing the charges against him in 2020. According to the NYT, the Venezuelan opposition is already negotiating with Washington on the possible removal of the country's president from power.

Caribbean grief: partners turn away from the United States because of the operation against Venezuela

Even Colombia and Brazil sided with Caracas, despite diplomatic contradictions.

Earlier, on September 30, it was reported that Venezuela had prepared a decree on the introduction of an emergency situation in the event of a conflict between the country and the United States. According to the document, Maduro will receive special powers.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.