The Trump administration has authorized the CIA to conduct covert operations in Venezuela, intensifying efforts to remove Nicolás Maduro from power. This decision marks a significant escalation in the U.S. campaign against the Venezuelan leader, whose government has faced increasing pressure amid allegations of drug trafficking and human rights violations.
On Wednesday, Donald Trump confirmed that he had granted the CIA new authority to operate within Venezuela, stating that the United States is also contemplating potential strikes on Venezuelan territory. “We are certainly looking at land now, because we’ve got the sea very well under control,” Trump told reporters, following reports from *The New York Times* regarding the covert actions.
The authorization allows the CIA to engage in lethal operations against Maduro’s regime, either independently or alongside larger military initiatives. While specific operations have not been disclosed, the military buildup in the Caribbean region is notable. Currently, approximately 10,000 U.S. troops are stationed there, including a contingent of Marines on amphibious assault ships and eight surface warships along with a submarine.
In response to Trump’s statements, Venezuela condemned the U.S. actions as “bellicose” and accused the Trump administration of attempting to justify regime change to seize the country’s oil resources. Venezuela’s government announced plans to address these developments at the United Nations Security Council, characterizing Trump’s actions as a serious violation of the UN Charter.
As tensions rise, the Trump administration has ended diplomatic discussions with the Venezuelan government, frustrated by Maduro’s refusal to step down. The administration has long accused Maduro’s regime of facilitating drug trafficking, including claims that members of the Tren de Aragua prison gang have infiltrated the United States to commit crimes.
The CIA has historically collaborated with governments in Latin America on security and intelligence matters, but the new mandate specifically empowers the agency to conduct direct lethal operations, a departure from previous authorizations. This strategy has been shaped largely by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and CIA Director John Ratcliffe, who has expressed a commitment to a more aggressive CIA that is willing to conduct covert operations when directed by the president.
Ratcliffe has indicated a shift towards riskier operations, emphasizing that the CIA should be prepared to “go places no one else can go and do things no one else can do.” The agency has not publicly commented on the recent authorizations or its plans in Venezuela.
As the situation unfolds, the potential for increased military action raises concerns about the implications for regional stability and the humanitarian situation in Venezuela, where many citizens are already facing severe economic hardships and political repression.
