U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that he had given the CIA the green light to carry out secret operations in Venezuela, representing a significant escalation in U.S. endeavors to exert pressure on President Nicolas Maduro’s administration.
As per sources within the U.S. government cited by The New York Times, the Trump administration’s strategy towards Venezuela is focused on ousting Maduro from power. A reward of $50 million US has been offered for information leading to Maduro’s apprehension and conviction on drug trafficking charges.
Trump explained his authorization of the actions by pointing out the substantial volume of drugs entering the United States from Venezuela, with a significant portion being smuggled via maritime routes.
Emphasizing the need to extend control to land operations, Trump stated, “We are looking at land now, because we’ve got the sea very well under control.” In response, the U.S. has bolstered its military presence in the southern Caribbean and conducted at least five strikes on vessels suspected of involvement in drug trafficking since early September.
The strikes resulted in the deaths of at least 27 individuals. Trump shared a brief video on Truth Social showing what appeared to be a motionless vessel in water being struck by a projectile and exploding.
Venezuela’s foreign ministry strongly condemned Trump’s remarks, asserting that such statements flagrantly violate international law and the United Nations’ Charter, necessitating global condemnation.
Maduro has consistently rejected allegations of ‘regime change’ and refuted Trump’s claims linking Venezuela to the trafficking of fentanyl, highlighting Mexico as the primary source of the illicit drug.
When questioned about the absence of Coast Guard interventions against suspected drug trafficking boats, a long-standing practice in the U.S., Trump dismissed such efforts as “politically correct” and ineffective.
The ongoing campaign underscores Trump’s utilization of U.S. military power in unconventional ways, including deploying active-duty troops domestically and conducting counterterrorism operations targeting drug trafficking suspects.
The Pentagon recently informed Congress of Trump’s declaration that the U.S. is engaged in a non-international armed conflict with drug cartels. Trump evaded a question regarding the CIA’s authority to apprehend Maduro, indicating that Venezuela is under pressure.
In August, the Trump administration doubled the reward for information leading to Maduro’s capture to $50 million US, accusing him of ties to drug trafficking and criminal organizations, allegations that Maduro vehemently denies.
Maduro reiterated his rejection of ‘regime change,’ drawing parallels to past U.S. military interventions in countries like Afghanistan, Iraq, and Libya, advocating for peace instead of war.
Senator Jeanne Shaheen expressed concerns that the U.S. administration’s actions were edging closer to outright conflict, stressing the need for transparency and accountability in decisions that could endanger servicemembers or involve regime change operations.
Despite criticism from Republican Senator Rand Paul and unsuccessful attempts by Democrats to block the strikes through a Senate vote, the Trump administration’s approach to Venezuela continues to face scrutiny and opposition.
