President Donald Trump has confirmed that he authorized the CIA to conduct covert operations inside Venezuela. He also indicated that the U.S. is considering further actions, including potential strikes targeting drug cartels in the region.
These confirmations come amid recent U.S. military strikes on suspected drug-carrying boats in the Caribbean, which have resulted in fatalities and drawn criticism from UN human rights experts who described them as “extrajudicial executions.” Trump stated that the U.S. is “looking at land” as it evaluates future operations.
The intensified U.S. military presence in the region has fueled fears in Caracas of a potential attack. The New York Times reported that Trump’s authorization permits the CIA to carry out operations in Venezuela independently or as part of broader U.S. military activities, though it remains unclear if specific operations are currently planned or being held as contingencies.
Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump explained his reasoning for the authorization. “Number one, they [Venezuela] have emptied their prisons into the United States of America,” he said, adding, “And the other thing are drugs. We have a lot of drugs coming in from Venezuela, and a lot of the Venezuelan drugs come in through the sea, so you get to see that, but we’re going to stop them by land also.”
When questioned about whether this authorization could lead to the ousting of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, for whom the U.S. has offered a substantial bounty, Trump evaded a direct answer, humorously remarking, “Wouldn’t it be a ridiculous question for me to answer?”
While Maduro’s government has not directly addressed the CIA authorization, Vice-President Delcy Rodriguez issued a defiant statement, asserting that Venezuelan citizens are prepared to defend their nation. Recent U.S. strikes have targeted vessels near Venezuela’s coast, with the latest resulting in six fatalities.
Trump, via Truth Social, stated that intelligence confirmed the targeted vessel was involved in drug trafficking and linked to “illicit narcoterrorist networks.” However, U.S. officials have not disclosed specific details about the organizations involved or the identities of those aboard the vessels in previous strikes.
The ongoing military efforts are part of a broader strategy to pressure Maduro’s government. This includes the deployment of significant air and naval assets, along with approximately 4,000 U.S. troops in the region. A leaked memo suggests the U.S. administration views its involvement as a “non-international armed conflict” with drug-trafficking organizations. U.S. officials have accused Maduro of being part of the “Cartel of the Suns,” a group allegedly involving high-ranking Venezuelan officials in drug trafficking, claims that Maduro denies.
Related
- US strikes on ‘Venezuela drug boats’: What do we know, and are they legal?
- The US navy killed 17 in deadly strikes. Now Venezuela is giving civilians guns
- US destroys alleged Venezuelan drug boat, killing three