U.S. President Donald Trump has confirmed that he has given the CIA the green light to carry out covert operations in Venezuela. This move signifies a significant escalation in the U.S.’s efforts to exert pressure on President Nicolas Maduro’s administration.
According to reports from The New York Times, the Trump administration’s strategy towards Venezuela is aimed at ousting Maduro from power. The administration has put forth a $50 million reward for information that leads to Maduro’s arrest and conviction on drug trafficking charges.
President Trump justified his authorization by highlighting the influx of drugs from Venezuela into the United States, primarily through sea routes. He mentioned a shift in focus to land operations after asserting control over sea routes.
In response to the drug trafficking issue, Trump has initiated a substantial military buildup in the southern Caribbean. The U.S. has conducted multiple strikes on vessels allegedly involved in drug trafficking since early September, resulting in the deaths of at least 27 individuals. Trump even shared a video on Truth Social showing a vessel being targeted and exploding.
Venezuela’s foreign ministry strongly criticized Trump’s actions, condemning them as a violation of international law and the United Nations’ Charter. Foreign Minister Yván Gil Pinto expressed these concerns in a statement posted on his Telegram channel.
President Trump has persistently accused Venezuela of being a center for fentanyl trafficking, despite data showing Mexico as the primary source. When questioned about using the Coast Guard to intercept suspected drug boats, Trump dismissed the approach as ineffective and overly cautious.
The ongoing campaign reflects Trump’s unconventional use of U.S. military forces, including deploying troops domestically and conducting counterterrorism operations against drug trafficking suspects. The Pentagon has informed Congress of Trump’s declaration of a “non-international armed conflict” against drug cartels.
When pressed about the CIA’s authority to target Maduro directly, Trump evaded a direct response, stating that Venezuela is under pressure. The administration has doubled the reward for Maduro’s arrest to $50 million, citing his alleged ties to drug trafficking and criminal organizations.
Maduro has rejected the notion of regime change, drawing parallels to past U.S. military interventions in other countries. Senator Jeanne Shaheen voiced concerns about the administration potentially leading the U.S. into a conflict or pursuing regime change without adequate transparency. Republican Senator Rand Paul has criticized the strikes, but a recent Senate vote to block them fell short of support from enough Republicans.