U.S. President Donald Trump has given the green light for covert operations in Venezuela by the CIA, intensifying American efforts to pressure President Nicolas Maduro’s administration. The classified directive, initially disclosed by The New York Times and based on insights from U.S. officials, is part of the Trump administration’s strategy to oust Maduro from power. A reward of $50 million US has been offered for information leading to Maduro’s apprehension and conviction on drug trafficking charges.
Trump justified the authorization by pointing out the significant influx of drugs from Venezuela into the United States, with a major portion being transported by sea. He mentioned a shift in focus to land operations due to the effective control over sea routes. A substantial military presence has been deployed in the southern Caribbean under Trump’s orders, with the U.S. carrying out at least five strikes on vessels suspected of drug trafficking since early September, resulting in the death of at least 27 individuals.
In response to Trump’s actions, Venezuela’s foreign ministry strongly condemned his remarks, stating that they violate international law and the United Nations’ Charter. Foreign Minister Yván Gil Pinto emphasized the necessity for global condemnation of such statements.
Trump has repeatedly accused Venezuela of facilitating the trafficking of fentanyl, a potent drug, although official U.S. records indicate that Mexico is the primary source of fentanyl. When questioned about the absence of Coast Guard interventions to intercept drug trafficking boats, a long-standing U.S. practice, Trump dismissed such efforts as ineffective and overly cautious.
The recent operations in Venezuela reflect Trump’s unconventional use of U.S. military resources, including deploying troops domestically and engaging in counterterrorism operations against drug trafficking suspects. The Pentagon has informed Congress that the U.S. is involved in a non-international armed conflict with drug cartels, as per Trump’s determination.
Maduro has rejected any notion of regime change, drawing parallels to past U.S. military interventions in countries like Afghanistan and Iraq. He emphasized a call for peace rather than war, addressing the people of the United States in his only English statement.
Senator Jeanne Shaheen expressed concerns about the Trump administration potentially pushing the U.S. towards direct conflict. She called for transparency regarding the administration’s intentions, particularly in relation to military actions that could endanger service members or lead to regime change. Despite criticism from Republican Senator Rand Paul, a recent Senate vote initiated by Democrats to halt the strikes did not garner adequate support from Republicans.
