Trump Confirms CIA Is Conducting Covert Operations Inside Venezuela

Trump Confirms CIA Covert Operations in Venezuela, Weighs Land Action

President Donald Trump on Wednesday confirmed that he has authorized the CIA to conduct covert operations inside Venezuela and said he is considering land operations in the country.

The acknowledgment follows a series of U.S. military strikes in the Caribbean targeting alleged drug-smuggling vessels. Since early September, U.S. forces have destroyed at least five boats—four originating from Venezuela—resulting in 27 deaths.

Asked about his decision during an Oval Office event, Trump said, “I authorized for two reasons, really. No. 1, they have emptied their prisons into the United States. And the other thing, the drugs—we have a lot of drugs coming in from Venezuela, and many of them come through the sea.” He added the administration “is looking at land” for possible further action but declined to specify if the CIA has authority to target President Nicolás Maduro.

Trump’s admission came shortly after The New York Times reported that the CIA had received authorization for covert operations in Venezuela.

Maduro Pushes Back

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro condemned U.S. actions, citing the CIA’s history in conflicts worldwide without directly addressing Trump’s comments. At a televised event, he said, “No to regime change that reminds us of the failed wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, and so on. No to the coups carried out by the CIA.” Maduro also referenced past human rights abuses in Argentina and Chile and called for peace in Latin America.

Venezuela’s Foreign Ministry denounced Trump’s statements, calling them a “serious violation of international law and the United Nations’ Charter” and urged the international community to condemn them.

Resistance from Congress

Earlier this month, the Trump administration labeled drug cartels as unlawful combatants, declaring the United States in an “armed conflict” with them. Lawmakers from both parties criticized the move as an act of war without congressional approval.

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said, “The administration’s authorization of covert CIA action, lethal strikes on boats, and hints at land operations in Venezuela slide the U.S. closer to conflict with no transparency, oversight, or apparent guardrails.”

Officials said the administration has provided limited evidence that the targeted vessels were carrying narcotics, citing only unclassified videos shared on social media. Lawmakers expressed frustration over the lack of clarity regarding which criminal organizations are considered “unlawful combatants.”

Trump defended the strikes, saying traditional methods have failed for decades. “They have faster boats—they’re world-class speedboats, but they’re not faster than missiles,” he said.

Human rights groups have raised concerns that the strikes violate international law and constitute extrajudicial killings.