U.S. President Donald Trump has given the CIA the green light to carry out covert actions in Venezuela, signaling a significant escalation in U.S. efforts to exert pressure on President Nicolas Maduro’s regime. The New York Times revealed this classified directive, indicating that the Trump administration’s strategy for Venezuela is focused on ousting Maduro from power. To this end, the administration has offered a $50 million reward for information that leads to Maduro’s apprehension and conviction on drug trafficking charges.
Trump justified his authorization by pointing out the substantial inflow of drugs from Venezuela into the United States, with a significant portion being smuggled by sea. He mentioned a shift in focus towards land operations due to effective control over maritime trafficking. Consequently, there has been a substantial military buildup in the southern Caribbean under Trump’s orders, resulting in at least five strikes on vessels associated with drug trafficking since early September. These strikes, which the administration claims were linked to drug trafficking, have resulted in the deaths of at least 27 individuals.
In response to Trump’s actions, Venezuela’s foreign ministry issued a statement condemning his remarks as a severe violation of international law and the UN Charter. Foreign Minister Yván Gil Pinto posted the statement on his Telegram channel, denouncing the statements as extreme and unacceptable.
Trump has consistently accused Venezuela of being a key hub for fentanyl trafficking, despite U.S. data indicating that Mexico is the primary source of fentanyl. When questioned about why the Coast Guard was not intercepting suspected drug trafficking vessels, a long-standing practice, Trump dismissed these efforts as ineffective and overly cautious.
The recent military operations in Venezuela are part of Trump’s broader utilization of U.S. military power in unconventional ways, including deploying troops domestically and conducting counterterrorism actions against drug trafficking suspects. The Pentagon informed Congress that the U.S. is engaged in a non-international armed conflict with drug cartels, as determined by Trump. When asked about the CIA’s authority to target Maduro, Trump evaded a direct response, stating that Venezuela is under pressure.
Meanwhile, Maduro has firmly rejected the notion of regime change, drawing parallels to past U.S. military interventions in countries like Afghanistan, Iraq, and Libya. He emphasized a preference for peace over war and called for unity among the people of Venezuela and the United States.
Senator Jeanne Shaheen, a prominent Democrat, expressed concerns that the Trump administration’s actions were pushing the U.S. closer to direct conflict with Venezuela, calling for transparency and caution in potential regime-change efforts. Despite opposition from critics like Republican Senator Rand Paul, a recent Senate vote aimed at blocking the strikes failed to gain sufficient Republican backing.
