Trump Confirms CIA Operations in Venezuela Amid 83 Deaths from Caribbean Strikes

The Trump administration has confirmed the authorization of covert Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) operations within Venezuela, escalating its pressure campaign against President Nicolás Maduro's government. This development follows a significant military buildup in the Caribbean, where at least 83 people have died in 21 U.S. strikes on alleged drug-trafficking vessels since September. Critics, including commentator James Surowiecki, have questioned the strategy's efficacy and the reliability offered to potential Venezuelan collaborators, stating, > "Silly for the CIA director to let Venezuelans know that if they work with us, they can count on nothing from us if things go wrong."

President Trump publicly acknowledged the CIA's authorization, citing two primary reasons: claims that Venezuela has emptied its prisons into the United States and the ongoing flow of drugs from the South American nation. The administration has also designated the Cartel de los Soles, which it alleges Maduro leads, as a foreign terrorist organization. This move, according to U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, "brings a whole bunch of new options" for the United States.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has vehemently denounced the U.S. actions as a policy of aggression, threat, and harassment, mobilizing military, police, and civilian defenses in response. Foreign Minister Yván Gil stated that Venezuela "rejects the warmongering and extravagant statements of the president of the United States." Human rights groups and some U.S. allies have condemned the maritime strikes as illegal extrajudicial killings, raising concerns about potential violations of international law.

The newly authorized CIA directive broadens the agency's role beyond intelligence gathering, granting it authority for potential lethal operations across the Caribbean and possibly inside Venezuela. This move echoes a long history of U.S. interventions in Latin America, often involving the CIA in efforts to influence political outcomes. Some analysts warn that such overt acknowledgments of covert actions, as highlighted by Surowiecki's criticism, could undermine trust and complicate future operations, potentially leading to a "not-so-covert CIA disaster."

While the administration's stated goal is to combat drug trafficking and migration, U.S. officials have privately indicated that the ultimate objective is to remove Maduro from power, for whom a $50 million bounty has been offered. The ongoing military presence, including an aircraft carrier and multiple warships, suggests a readiness for further escalation, with President Trump not ruling out ground operations. This "maximum pressure" strategy continues to draw scrutiny regarding its legal basis and humanitarian impact.