While President Maduro's recent actions are seen as a sign of desperation by supporters of Venezuela’s political opposition, months of pressure have yet to produce defections or a government transition.

As U.S. carriers and Marines mass in the Caribbean, Venezuela has placed its military and millions of civilian militiamen on alert under the Guerra de Todo el Pueblo (“People’s War”) doctrine. Designed to trade space for time and turn cities and jungles into prolonged guerrilla battlegrounds,

Venezuela will again accept deportation flights from the US, having suspended them after President Donald Trump said it should consider its airspace "closed."

In a statement Saturday afternoon, Venezuela’s government condemned Trump’s comments, describing them as a “colonialist threat” against the

President Trump delivered an ultimatum to Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, demanding immediate resignation and safe passage for his family or face consequences.

The U.S. declared an alleged cartel in Venezuela a terrorist organization, the latest action targeting the country and the Maduro government.

The United States continued its pressure campaign against Venezuela on Saturday as President Donald Trump issued a broad directive on social media, warning airlines, pilots and criminal networks to avoid Venezuelan airspace.

The Trump's administration has ramped up pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by designating the Cartel de los Soles as a foreign terrorist organization.