U.S. President Donald Trump has given the green light for the CIA to carry out secret operations in Venezuela, signaling a significant escalation in American efforts to exert pressure on President Nicolas Maduro’s administration. The New York Times initially reported the classified directive, citing insiders who revealed that the Trump government’s strategy in Venezuela is focused on ousting Maduro from power. To aid in this objective, the administration has put forth a $50 million reward for information that leads to Maduro’s arrest and conviction on drug trafficking charges.
Trump justified his decision by pointing out the substantial inflow of drugs from Venezuela into the United States, mainly through sea routes. He stated that while sea operations were successful, the focus has now shifted to land operations due to the prevalent drug trafficking activities. In the southern Caribbean, there has been a noticeable increase in U.S. military presence following Trump’s directives. Since early September, the U.S. has conducted multiple strikes on vessels suspected of involvement in drug trafficking, resulting in the deaths of at least 27 individuals.
Venezuela’s foreign ministry strongly criticized Trump’s statements, labeling them as a severe breach of international law and the United Nations’ Charter. The Foreign Minister, Yván Gil Pinto, condemned these remarks in a statement posted on his Telegram channel.
In response to accusations of being a hub for fentanyl trafficking, Maduro has rejected claims of ‘regime change,’ emphasizing a preference for peace over war. Trump, when questioned about the absence of Coast Guard interventions against suspected drug boats, dismissed past practices as ineffective and politically correct.
Concerns have been raised by Senator Jeanne Shaheen regarding the administration’s actions potentially leading the U.S. towards direct conflict. Meanwhile, Senator Rand Paul has voiced opposition to the strikes, though a recent Senate vote to block them failed to gain sufficient Republican backing.
The current campaign underscores Trump’s unconventional use of military power, including counterterrorism operations against drug trafficking suspects. The Pentagon has informed Congress of Trump’s assertion that the U.S. is engaged in a non-international armed conflict with drug cartels. Despite speculation, Trump avoided directly addressing whether the CIA has been granted permission to target Maduro. The administration’s heightened reward for information implicating Maduro in criminal activities has further fueled tensions between the two nations.