Trump Hints at CIA Covert Ops in Venezuela Amid Rising Tensions:

In a news conference that has sparked fresh controversy, United States President Donald Trump appeared to confirm a New York Times report that his administration authorized the CIA to conduct covert operations in Venezuela. The alleged move marks a significant escalation in already strained relations between Washington and Caracas. During a press briefing held alongside senior law enforcement officials, Trump was directly asked by a reporter: “Why did you authorise the CIA to go into Venezuela?” Trump responded, “I authorised for two reasons, really. Number one, they have emptied their prisons into the United States of America. The other thing was Venezuela’s role in drug-trafficking.” He went on to claim that a substantial portion of narcotics entering the U.S. originates from Venezuela, emphasizing trafficking via sea routes. “We have a lot of drugs coming in from Venezuela… But we’re going to stop them by land also,” he added. Alleged CIA Authorization While Trump stopped short of confirming lethal CIA missions on Venezuelan soil, his remarks lend weight to claims made in the New York Times article. The report, citing anonymous officials, suggested that Trump had authorized intelligence operations as part of a broader strategy to pressure or potentially topple Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. When asked if the CIA had the authority to “take out” Maduro, Trump dodged the question, calling it “ridiculous” to ask but refused to offer a clear denial. “I think Venezuela’s feeling heat,” he said, hinting at growing U.S. pressure. Escalating Military Actions Tensions between the two nations have been building for years, with Trump maintaining a hardline stance on Maduro since his first term. Recently, both countries have bolstered their military presence in the Caribbean, and the U.S. has taken more direct action. Since early September, the U.S. has reportedly launched at least five airstrikes on small vessels off the Venezuelan coast, resulting in 27 deaths. Trump shared a video earlier this week showing one such strike, which he claimed targeted drug traffickers. Six people were allegedly killed in the latest bombing. “When they’re loaded up with drugs, they’re fair game,” Trump said on Wednesday. He defended the strikes by stating they were necessary to combat the opioid crisis in the U.S. “There was fentanyl dust all over the boat after those bombs go off,” he added. Legal and Ethical Concerns Many legal experts and former military officials have questioned the legitimacy of the strikes, arguing that they may violate international law. Traditionally, drug traffickers are not considered lawful combatants, and extrajudicial killings raise serious human rights concerns. Despite this, Trump has remained defiant. “We have deep, strong information on every boat,” he insisted, suggesting U.S. intelligence had been tracking these vessels closely. In August, sources revealed that Trump had signed secret orders permitting military action against Latin American criminal groups, including those designated as foreign terrorist organizations like the Tren de Aragua. However, intelligence reports have not supported the direct involvement of Maduro’s government in these networks. Pushing Wartime Powers Since beginning his second term, Trump has invoked laws like the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to justify sweeping executive powers. He has described the surge of migrants from Venezuela as a form of "invasion," a claim widely rejected by the U.S. intelligence community. Still, Trump repeated those allegations this week. “Many countries have done it, but not like Venezuela. They were down and dirty,” he said, without providing evidence. Looking Ahead With his administration claiming near-complete control over drug routes at sea, Trump hinted that the focus would now shift to land operations. “We’ve almost totally stopped it by sea. Now, we’ll stop it by land,” he declared, even joking that local fishermen were avoiding the waters due to U.S. military presence. As U.S.-Venezuela relations enter a new and uncertain phase, Trump’s remarks—and the apparent covert CIA activity—signal that his administration is prepared to push the limits of traditional foreign policy and international law in pursuit of its agenda.

NEWS