Trump appears to confirm report he authorised CIA operations in Venezuela
Key Takeaways
- President Trump confirmed authorizing the CIA for covert operations in Venezuela.
- The stated reasons for authorization were Venezuela emptying its prisons into the US and its role in drug trafficking.
- The authorization appears linked to a broader US strategy, reportedly aimed at toppling Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.
- Trump avoided directly answering whether the CIA was authorized to 'take out' Maduro.
- The action escalates existing tensions, as both the US and Venezuela have recently bolstered their military presence in the Caribbean.
United States President Donald Trump seemingly confirmed a New York Times report alleging his administration authorized the CIA to execute covert operations within Venezuela. During a press conference, Trump stated his authorization was based on Venezuela emptying its prisons into the US and its involvement in drug trafficking, implying the US would take action on foreign soil to stop narcotics flow. These remarks are expected to increase tensions with Nicolas Maduro's government, as both leaders have already mobilized military forces in the Caribbean. The New York Times suggested this authorization is part of a strategy to remove Maduro, a claim Trump avoided directly confirming when asked about taking out the Venezuelan leader. Trump also reiterated his controversial assertion that Venezuela orchestrated an 'invasion' of migrants and criminals, a claim unsupported by US intelligence assessments. The potential authorization for lethal missions marks a significant escalation, following Trump's previous assertions of wartime powers and secret orders targeting drug cartels.
