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The Trump administration has quietly authorized the Central Intelligence Agency to carry out covert operations in Venezuela, deepening Washington's campaign to unseat President Nicolás Maduro. The move, confirmed by multiple U.S. officials, grants the agency expanded powers to conduct lethal and intelligence operations across the Caribbean region.
President Trump publicly acknowledged the authorization, telling reporters that the decision was driven by "two main reasons, drugs and migration." He accused Venezuela of releasing prisoners who later crossed into the United States and claimed the South American nation had become a hub for narcotics. "We're looking at land now because we've got the sea very well under control," Trump said, referencing a series of recent U.S. maritime strikes that killed 27 people.
The CIA directive, known internally as a presidential finding, marks one of the most aggressive foreign policy steps of Trump's second term. It follows a substantial U.S. military buildup in the southern Caribbean, where more than 10,000 troops, eight warships, and a submarine have been deployed. Pentagon sources say the military has drawn up further options for the president, including potential strikes inside Venezuelan territory.
In Caracas, Venezuela's foreign minister Yvan Gil condemned the authorization as a "grave violation of international law" and accused Washington of attempting to "legitimize regime change to seize Venezuela's oil resources." The government said it would raise the issue before the United Nations Security Council.
Trump's move reignites long-standing controversy over U.S. intelligence activities in Latin America. The CIA's history in the region, from the 1954 coup in Guatemala to covert campaigns in Nicaragua during the 1980s, remains deeply contentious. Analysts warn that new operations could fuel instability and undermine diplomatic efforts.
Despite the administration's claims, U.S. intelligence assessments have found little evidence linking Maduro directly to organized narcotics trafficking. Still, Washington has offered a $50 million reward for information leading to his arrest. As both nations exchange accusations, the authorization signals a new and uncertain phase in America's decades-long struggle to reshape Venezuela's political landscape.
