Trump Confirms CIA’s Covert Operations in Venezuela Amidst Rising Tensions
In a significant revelation, President Donald Trump disclosed on Wednesday his authorization for the CIA to execute covert missions within Venezuela. Concurrently, he is contemplating potential land invasions, intensifying the already strained relations between the two nations.
Image credit: John McDonnell/AP
This admission follows a series of deadly U.S. military operations targeting alleged drug-smuggling vessels in the Caribbean. These operations have resulted in the destruction of five boats, four of which originated from Venezuela, and the death of 27 individuals since early September.
When questioned about his decision to authorize CIA involvement, Trump stated, “I authorized for two reasons, really. No. 1, they have emptied their prisons into the United States of America. And the other thing, the drugs, we have a lot of drugs coming in from Venezuela, and a lot of the Venezuelan drugs come in through the sea.”
While Trump refrained from confirming if the CIA has been empowered to target President Nicolás Maduro directly, he mentioned that further actions, including land operations, are under consideration.
Maduro’s Response
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro reacted strongly, criticizing the historical involvement of U.S. intelligence in conflicts worldwide. He emphasized his country’s rejection of regime change efforts reminiscent of past U.S. interventions in regions like Afghanistan and Libya.
“No to regime change that reminds us so much of the (overthrows) in the failed eternal wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya and so on,” Maduro asserted during a broadcast event.
Maduro also condemned CIA coups, referencing human rights abuses in Argentina and the 1973 Chilean coup. “Latin America doesn’t want them, doesn’t need them and repudiates them,” he declared.
In a statement, Venezuela’s Foreign Ministry decried Trump’s comments as a severe violation of international law, urging global condemnation.
Congressional Concerns
Trump’s announcement has sparked bipartisan criticism in Congress, with allegations of bypassing legislative authority. Lawmakers, including Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, have expressed concern over the lack of transparency and oversight in the administration’s actions.
Shaheen remarked, “The American people deserve to know if the administration is leading the U.S. into another conflict, putting servicemembers at risk or pursuing a regime-change operation.”
Despite the Trump administration’s claims, officials have yet to present concrete evidence linking the targeted vessels to narcotics trafficking, relying instead on unclassified social media videos.
As military actions continue, the U.S. Coast Guard persists with traditional drug interdiction efforts, despite Trump’s contention that such methods have proved ineffective over decades against the swift boats used by smugglers.
Human rights organizations have voiced apprehensions regarding the legality of these military strikes, labeling them as potentially extrajudicial.
