U.S. President Donald Trump has given the green light for the CIA to carry out covert operations in Venezuela, signaling a significant escalation in U.S. efforts to exert pressure on President Nicolas Maduro’s administration. The move, as reported by The New York Times based on insights from U.S. officials, is part of the Trump administration’s strategy to oust Maduro from power. In a bid to facilitate Maduro’s arrest and conviction on drug trafficking charges, the administration has pledged a reward of $50 million US for valuable information.
Trump justified his authorization by highlighting the influx of drugs into the United States from Venezuela, predominantly through sea routes. He emphasized the need to enhance surveillance on land, citing effective control over sea transportation. In response to this, a substantial military reinforcement has been deployed in the southern Caribbean. Since early September, the U.S. has carried out multiple strikes on vessels suspected of drug trafficking, resulting in the deaths of at least 27 individuals.
Venezuela’s foreign ministry condemned Trump’s remarks, labeling them a severe breach of international law and the United Nations’ Charter. Foreign Minister Yván Gil Pinto expressed these concerns in a statement shared on his Telegram channel. Maduro has consistently rejected the notion of ‘regime change’ and refuted allegations of Venezuela being a hub for trafficking fentanyl, stressing that Mexico is the primary source of the drug.
The Trump administration’s recent military maneuvers in Venezuela reflect a broader trend of unconventional uses of U.S. military power. The Pentagon has formally acknowledged to Congress that the U.S. is engaged in a non-international armed conflict with drug cartels. Despite escalating tensions, Trump refrained from commenting on the potential involvement of the CIA in Maduro’s execution, suggesting heightened pressure on Venezuela as a more viable approach.
The administration’s decision to increase the bounty for Maduro’s capture to $50 million US has drawn criticism and skepticism from both Democrats and Republicans. Senator Jeanne Shaheen voiced concerns about the administration steering the U.S. towards a path of conflict, emphasizing the need for transparency on potential military engagements. Republican Senator Rand Paul has been vocal in his opposition to the strikes, but a recent Senate vote to block the operations failed to secure sufficient bipartisan support.