President Donald Trump said the move was driven by Venezuela emptying its prisons into the US
President Donald Trump confirmed that he authorized the CIA to conduct covert operations in Venezuela, intensifying Washington’s campaign to oust President Nicolas Maduro.
The classified authorization, known as a presidential finding, allows the CIA to carry out lethal missions, sabotage operations, and intelligence activities inside Venezuela or across the Caribbean, either independently or alongside US forces.
Trump said the move was driven by Venezuela emptying its prisons into the US, referring to claims that the Tren de Aragua prison gang had crossed the US border. He also hinted that land strikes were being considered.
About 10,000 US troops, eight Navy warships, and a submarine are deployed in the region.
Trump added that US forces had destroyed several drug-smuggling boats in the Caribbean since September, claiming it helped stop fentanyl from reaching American shores, though officials, however, have not provided details on the seized narcotics.
Venezuela denounced Trump’s comments, accusing him of trying to seize its oil resources and planning to raise the issue at the UN Security Council.