U.S. Restricts Holiday Leave as Military Readies Possible Strike on Venezuela Within Days

 An intensifying U.S. military posture around Venezuela is now underscored by reports that United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) has restricted or significantly limited holiday leave for personnel in the region — including over Thanksgiving and Christmas — amid speculation of imminent operations, possibly within the next 10-12 days.

The reported leave curtailment comes as the U.S. administration continues to increase pressure on the Cartel de los Soles — which it formally designated a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) on Nov. 24 — alleging the Venezuelan regime is entwined in narco-terror networks.

Concurrently, American air and naval forces have ramped up show-of-force missions near Venezuelan waters, underscoring the possibility of kinetic action: Among the recent deployments, a force of F/A-18 Super Hornets aboard the USS Gerald R. Ford linked up with a B-52 bomber for a patrol off the Venezuelan coast on the night of Nov. 24.

Strategic Background: Narco-terror Label and Caribbean Build-Up

In its rationale, the Trump administration argues that by designating Cartel de los Soles as an FTO, it expands the legal basis for military operations against the group and by extension elements of the Venezuelan regime. The administration argues the cartel is embedded within state institutions, with suspected involvement by senior Venezuelan officials.

At the same time, the strategic view in Washington appears to have broadened beyond pure counter-narcotics: The deployment of the carrier strike group, long-range bombers, refuelling tankers, and a substantial surface fleet in the Caribbean has been described as the most significant U.S. military presence in the region since the Cold War era. Analysts note the force is not sufficient for a full-scale invasion, but more than enough for precision strikes, maritime interdiction, and sustained pressure operations.

Holiday Leave Restrictions Signal Readiness for Action

The reported leave restrictions represent a rare public flag of increased readiness. According to multiple sources, the limitation of holiday breaks for U.S. personnel — particularly those under SOUTHCOM — is linked to preparations for possible land strikes or major operations expected in the next 10 to 12 days.

SOUTHCOM has publicly pushed back on the interpretation, stating: “Our service members and civilian employees are always afforded the opportunity to take leave throughout the year, and that includes holiday periods.”
Nonetheless, analysts regard the timing and scope of these restrictions as a strong indicator that the U.S. is preparing for a significant escalation.

Legal and Constitutional Overhang: Congress, War Powers and Presidential Authority

Under Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution and the War Powers Resolution, the President ordinarily needs the consent of Congress before committing U.S. forces into hostilities aimed at a foreign nation — unless the engagement qualifies as self-defence or is authorised under existing law.

Critics argue that the FTO designation may be intended to allow the administration to frame any action as part of the war on terrorism, sidestepping the need for a formal congressional authorization.

Legal experts caution, however, that even the FTO listing does not automatically authorize large-scale military action inside sovereign territory, particularly when state institutions are involved.

Venezuela’s Reaction and Regional Ripples

In Caracas, the government of Nicolás Maduro condemned the U.S. designation and military posture as an attempt to justify an “illegal intervention”. Officials called the Cartel de los Soles a “non-existent invention” used as a pretext for regime-change operations.

Meanwhile, multiple airlines have cancelled flights to and from Venezuela, and the U.S. FAA issued advisories due to military activity and potential GPS interference around Venezuelan airspace.

Across Latin America and Europe, several governments and parliamentarians expressed concern that U.S. action could destabilize the region and trigger wider conflict.

As U.S. forces maintain heightened alert around Venezuela, the combination of holiday leave restrictions, increased air-sea patrols, and the terrorist designation of a regime-linked group suggests Washington is preparing for a more forceful phase of engagement. Whether this evolves into targeted strikes, limited operations, or a broader campaign remains uncertain — but the countdown has clearly begun for both sides.