• The Pentagon has a contingency plan should Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro leave office, but any US military action would require explicit presidential authorization.
  • Current US efforts in the region are focused on counter-narcotics operations, with officials labeling participants as "narco-terrorists."
  • Decisions on excluding specific Venezuelan officials from any potential transition would be made by the US President, not the military.

Pentagon Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson confirmed the existence of a contingency plan for a potential change in Venezuelan leadership, a rare public acknowledgment that underscores the ongoing volatility surrounding President Nicolás Maduro's regime. The statement, made during a press briefing, was carefully framed to emphasize that the US military would act only on direct orders from the White House. "We have plans for a variety of contingencies, but any action would be taken only on presidential orders," Wilson said, according to people familiar with the briefing.

The comments come as the Biden administration maintains a dual-track policy of sustaining sanctions pressure on Caracas while supporting opposition groups. Wilson stressed that the immediate focus of US forces in the region remains the dismantling of narcotics networks. She described those involved in the drug trade as "narco-terrorists," a label that signals continued aggressive law enforcement and intelligence operations rather than an overt military buildup.

Behind the scenes, the acknowledgment is seen as a signal of preparedness to both regional allies and adversaries, without escalating rhetoric that could provoke a crisis. It also places the ultimate political decisions squarely with civilian leadership. When asked about potential exclusions of current Venezuelan officials from a future transition, Wilson deferred, stating that "those decisions would be made by the president." Attempts to reach officials at the Venezuelan embassy for comment were not immediately successful.

Analysts note that while such contingency planning is a standard function of military preparedness, its public discussion at this juncture is notable. It reflects ongoing assessments of Maduro's stability amid severe economic pressures and persistent internal challenges. The plan's specifics are classified, but it is understood to encompass a range of non-combat scenarios, including support for stability operations and securing critical infrastructure, should a sudden political vacuum emerge.

Correction: An earlier version of this article misstated the title of Kingsley Wilson. She is the Pentagon Press Secretary.