WASHINGTON – The Pentagon confirmed Tuesday it has developed contingency plans addressing a potential transition of power in Venezuela, including scenarios involving the departure of Nicolás Maduro. department of Defense Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson emphasized that any actions regarding Venezuela’s future rest solely with President Donald Trump, whom she identified as the ultimate decision-maker.
Wilson addressed the matter during a press conference, responding to questions about the defense Department’s potential role in a post-Maduro Venezuela and how the U.S. would assess the positions of current Venezuelan government and military officials.
“The Department has a contingency plan for everything. We are a planning institution. If something were to happen in the world, we have a response planned and ready. Therefore, we are at the disposal of the president and we call on our Commander in Chief to do what is necessary if necessary,” Wilson stated.
Despite these preparations, Wilson underscored that the Pentagon’s primary focus remains on operations under the Southern Command, dedicated to combating criminal networks in the region and safeguarding the American population. She highlighted the impact of these operations, stating, “Each ship we attacked saved 25,000 American lives. That is a crucial mission to protect the homeland and we are proud to be part of it.”
The confirmation of contingency planning follows recent reports, including one from The Wall Street Journal, suggesting a potential U.S. objective to remove Maduro from power. The Southern Command recently limited leave requests around thanksgiving and Christmas due to potential ground actions in the coming days.
