FEATURE | Will US launch new phase of Venezuela operations?

The US military dwarfs Venezuela's, which is debilitated by a lack of training, low wages and deteriorating equipment. Some unit commanders have been forced to negotiate with local food producers to feed their troops because government supplies fall short, Reuters has reported.

That reality has led Maduro's government to consider alternative strategies in the event of a US invasion, including possibly a guerrilla-style response, which the government has termed "prolonged resistance" and mentioned in broadcasts on state television.

This approach would involve small military units at more than 280 locations carrying out acts of sabotage and other guerrilla tactics, Reuters has reported, citing sources and years-old planning documents.

(Reporting by Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali; Additional reporting by Andrea Shalal; Editing by Craig Timberg, Sergio Non and Diane Craft)