Trump Confirms CIA Authorization in Venezuela as Maduro Rejects ‘Regime Change’

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has confirmed that he approved covert CIA operations inside Venezuela, triggering strong backlash from Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who accused the U.S. of pursuing regime change under the guise of counter-narcotics operations.

Trump’s remarks come amid a wave of U.S. military activity in the Caribbean, including at least five strikes on boats suspected of drug trafficking, which have resulted in the deaths of 27 people. UN human rights experts have condemned the actions, describing them as potential “extrajudicial executions.”

Speaking at the White House, Trump said the U.S. was considering expanding operations from the sea to land in its efforts to dismantle drug networks in the region.

“We’re looking at land,” Trump said. “They Venezuela have emptied their prisons into the United States, and we have a drug problem coming from there we’re going to stop it.”

While Venezuela is not a major player in the global drug trade compared to its neighbors, Trump cited both immigration and narcotics as reasons for greenlighting CIA activity. He declined to confirm whether the ultimate goal of the operations was to oust Maduro, instead replying, “Wouldn’t it be a ridiculous question for me to answer?”

According to The New York Times, the authorization gives the CIA leeway to act independently or alongside broader U.S. military efforts. However, it remains unclear whether operations are currently underway or if the agency is preparing for future missions. The CIA has a long history of intervention in Latin America.

Maduro Responds: “No to War, No to Coups”

In a televised address, Maduro, whose presidency remains contested internationally after disputed elections, appealed directly to the American public:

“No war, yes peace. No to regime change, no to CIA-orchestrated coups d’état.”

He compared the current tensions to the failed military interventions in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Libya, warning against escalating conflict in the region.

In response to rising U.S. military deployments reportedly involving eight warships, a nuclear-powered submarine, and fighter jets Maduro ordered military drills in the Petare district of Caracas and the nearby Miranda state. He also mobilized police forces, the military, and civilian militias, citing national defense.

U.S. Expands Military Presence

The U.S. military buildup in the Caribbean has raised fears in Caracas of a potential intervention. Around 10,000 U.S. troops are believed to be stationed in the region, either on naval vessels or in Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory.

On Tuesday, the U.S. carried out another strike near Venezuela’s coastline, killing six people aboard a boat that Trump later described as part of a narcotics network. In a statement posted on Truth Social, he claimed intelligence confirmed the vessel was linked to drug-trafficking organizations and transiting a known route.

U.S. officials have not released details about the individuals on board or the specific drug network involved.

Venezuelan Government Condemns U.S. Actions

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil strongly condemned Trump’s remarks and the increased U.S. military activity.

“We reject the warmongering and provocative statements of the U.S. president. The use of the CIA and military deployment in the Caribbean amounts to acts of aggression and harassment,” Gil wrote on Telegram.

The U.S. has previously accused Maduro of involvement in the so-called Cartel of the Suns, alleging that high-ranking Venezuelan military officials are complicit in drug trafficking. Maduro has denied these claims.

In a leaked memo to U.S. lawmakers, the Trump administration described its operations against drug cartels as part of a “non-international armed conflict” a legal term often used in the context of counterterrorism.

Analysts Weigh In

Mick Mulroy, a former CIA paramilitary officer and senior Pentagon official, said that CIA covert operations must be authorized through a presidential finding a formal and classified order identifying specific targets and objectives.

“Such a finding would represent a significant escalation,” Mulroy said. “Perhaps a real-life Sicario,” he added, referencing the Hollywood film that depicts U.S. agents conducting clandestine operations against Mexican cartels.

As tensions mount, observers warn that escalating covert and military operations could lead to broader conflict, deepening instability in an already volatile region. While Washington justifies its actions as part of a crackdown on narcotics, Venezuela views them as an existential threat to its sovereignty.