Trump Acknowledges CIA Authorization in Venezuela
President Donald Trump has publicly confirmed he authorized the Central Intelligence Agency to conduct operations inside Venezuela, according to reports from the Oval Office. In a highly unusual acknowledgment from a U.S. commander-in-chief about spy agency activities typically shrouded in secrecy, Trump stated he authorized the action for two primary reasons.
“Number one, they [Venezuela] have emptied their prisons into the United States of America,” Trump told reporters during a briefing alongside FBI Director Kash Patel and Attorney General Pam Bondi. “And the other thing are drugs. We have a lot of drugs coming in from Venezuela, and a lot of the Venezuelan drugs come in through the sea, so you get to see that, but we’re going to stop them by land also.”
Escalating Military Pressure on Maduro Government
The confirmation comes amid increasing U.S. military pressure on the government of Nicolás Maduro, whom the United States and numerous other nations do not recognize as Venezuela’s rightful leader following disputed elections. According to the New York Times report, Trump’s authorization would allow the CIA to carry out operations in Venezuela unilaterally or as part of any wider U.S. military activity.
The increased U.S. military presence in the region has raised fears in Caracas of a possible attack, with sources indicating significant air and naval assets have been positioned in the region alongside approximately 4,000 troops.
Recent Military Actions and Venezuelan Response
In the most recent military action on Tuesday, six people were killed when a boat was targeted near Venezuela’s coast. On Truth Social, Trump stated that “intelligence confirmed the vessel was trafficking narcotics, was associated with illicit narcoterrorist networks, and was transiting along a known” drug-trafficking corridor.
Venezuelan Vice-President Delcy Rodriguez struck a defiant tone in response to the developments, stating on television that “let no aggressor dare because they know that here is the people of [Venezuelan liberator Simón] Bolívar, that here is the people of our ancestors with their swords raised to defend us under any circumstance.”
Broader Context and Legal Framework
Analysts suggest these developments form part of a larger military effort to pressure Maduro’s government. In a leaked memo recently sent to U.S. lawmakers and reported by U.S. media outlets, the administration said it had determined it was involved in a “non-international armed conflict” with drug-trafficking organizations.
U.S. officials have alleged that Maduro himself is part of an organization called the Cartel of the Suns, which they claim includes high-ranking Venezuelan military and security officials involved in drug trafficking. Maduro has repeatedly denied these claims, and Venezuela’s government has condemned the recent strikes.
Unanswered Questions and Regional Implications
The report states it remains unknown whether the CIA is actively planning operations in Venezuela or whether those plans are being kept as contingencies. When asked whether the CIA authorization would allow the agency to unseat Maduro – for whom the U.S. has offered a $50 million bounty – Trump declined to answer directly, responding “Wouldn’t it be a ridiculous question for me to answer?”
This development comes alongside other international security matters, including reported agreements between world leaders on energy security and ongoing financial market fluctuations amid global tensions. The situation continues to evolve as major corporations navigate economic challenges and financial institutions adjust their strategies in the current geopolitical climate.
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