A key move was Washington's formal designation of the Cartel de los Soles, a network it alleges is deeply tied to top Venezuelan officials, as a terrorist organization, which came into effect on Monday. Venezuela called the label a "ridiculous scheme" intended to justify an unlawful intervention in Venezuela.

A U.S. ground invasion is improbable, according to many analysts. From Maduro’s perspective, staying in Venezuela might be the safest way of protecting himself, his money and his family, said Moisés Naím, an analyst at the Washington-based Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado faces criticism that she is exaggerating threats posed by Venezuela’s leader to justify U.S. force to overthrow him.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro addressed thousands of supporters amid U.S. pressure, declaring, "Failure is not an option."

The U.S. is considering dropping leaflets on Caracas as a kind of psychological warfare to pressure Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, multiple U.S. officials familiar with the talks told CBS News.

Amber Energy sought to reassure Citgo's employees in Houston that the company aims to grow and "create new opportunities."

Despite this long relationship, Noriega proved to be a highly unreliable Cold War partner. While on Washington’s payroll, he supplied Castro with intelligence on U.S. operations and helped facilitate the shipment of weapons from Cuba to various Marxist insurgent groups.

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