WASHINGTON – The Pentagon confirmed Tuesday it has developed contingency plans addressing a potential transition of power in Venezuela, including scenarios involving the departure of โNicolรกs Maduro. department of Defense Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson emphasized that any โactions regardingโ Venezuela’sโ future rest solelyโค with President Donald Trump, whom she identified as the ultimate decision-maker.
Wilson addressed the matter duringโ a press conference, responding to questions about the defense โคDepartment’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 โฃa โฃcontingency planโฃ for everything. We are a planning institution. โคIf โขsomething were to happen in the world, we have a response planned and ready. Therefore, we are at the โdisposal of the president and we call on our Commander in โChief to do what is necessary if necessary,” Wilson stated.
Despite these preparations, Wilson underscoredโฃ that the Pentagon’s primary focus remains on operations under the Southern Command, dedicated to combating criminal networks in the region and safeguardingโ the American population. She highlighted the impactโ ofโข these operations, stating, “Each ship we attacked saved 25,000 American lives. That is a crucial mission to protect the homeland and weโค are proud to be part โคof it.”
The โconfirmation of contingency planning follows recent reports, โคincluding โฃone from The Wall Street Journal, suggesting aโข potential U.S. objective to remove Maduro from power. The Southern โฃCommandโค recently limited leave requests around thanksgiving and Christmas due toโ potential ground actions in the coming days.
