President Donald Trump of the United States officially sanctioned the CIA to carry out covert operations in Venezuela, marking a significant increase in U.S. actions aimed at pressuring President Nicolas Maduro’s administration.
The New York Times initially disclosed the classified order, referencing U.S. officials familiar with the decision, revealing that the Trump government’s strategy regarding Venezuela is focused on ousting Maduro from power. The administration has put forward a reward of $50 million US for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of Maduro on drug trafficking charges.
Trump stated that he approved the move due to the significant volume of drugs entering the United States from Venezuela, with a substantial portion being trafficked via maritime routes.
“We are now focusing on land operations as we have effectively controlled sea operations,” Trump mentioned.
There has been a substantial military reinforcement in the southern Caribbean by Trump’s directive, and since early September, the U.S. has carried out at least five strikes on ships allegedly involved in drug trafficking, as described by the Trump administration, without providing concrete evidence.
These strikes have resulted in the deaths of at least 27 individuals. Recently, Trump shared a brief video clip on Truth Social, showing a stationary vessel being struck with a projectile in a body of water before exploding.
The foreign ministry of Venezuela denounced Trump’s statements in an official release.
“This unprecedented declaration constitutes a severe breach of international law and the United Nations’ Charter, compelling the global community to condemn these clearly excessive and unimaginable remarks,” as stated in the release posted by Foreign Minister Yván Gil Pinto on his Telegram channel.
Maduro Dismisses ‘Regime Change’
Trump has consistently accused Venezuela of being a center for the trafficking of the lethal drug fentanyl, although U.S. records indicate that Mexico is the primary source of fentanyl.
When questioned by a reporter about why the Coast Guard had not been stopping suspected drug trafficking vessels, a practice in place for decades, Trump criticized such efforts as “politically correct” and ineffective.
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