The Central Intelligence Agency has received secret authorization from the Trump administration to conduct covert operations in Venezuela, according to U.S. officials, marking an escalation in efforts against President Nicolás Maduro’s government. This development comes amid increasing military activity in the region, where U.S. forces have already been targeting suspected drug trafficking vessels off Venezuela’s coast.
The Pentagon’s operations in Caribbean waters have resulted in 27 fatalities from five separate drone strikes on boats allegedly involved in narcotics smuggling. The U.S. has maintained that these trafficking operations are conducted with the knowledge and support of Maduro’s regime, although Venezuelan authorities strongly deny these accusations.
A substantial American military presence has been established in the Caribbean, with approximately 10,000 troops deployed over recent weeks. The newly granted CIA authorization would enable the agency to perform lethal operations within Venezuela and throughout the Caribbean region, either independently or in coordination with broader military initiatives.
The strategy, crafted by Secretary of State Marco Rubio with input from CIA Director John Ratcliffe, explicitly aims to remove Maduro from power. During his confirmation proceedings, Ratcliffe emphasized his vision for a more aggressive CIA, promising to make the agency more willing to undertake risky operations and conduct covert actions when directed by the president.
Tensions have escalated further with recent military encounters. Venezuelan F-16 fighters were reportedly launched from El Libertador Air Base in response to the presence of American B-52 bombers in the vicinity, demonstrating the increasing military friction between the two nations.
Earlier this month, President Trump formally notified Congress of U.S. engagement in a “non-international armed conflict” with drug cartels, specifically targeting the Tren de Aragua cartel. The administration’s position characterizes these cartels as “non-state armed groups” whose drug trafficking activities constitute an “armed attack against the United States.”
The administration claims the cartel operates with Maduro’s blessing, though Venezuela denies these allegations. Trump’s notification to Congress frames the cartel’s presence in the U.S. as a “predatory incursion” by a foreign nation, attempting to align the military action with his “America First” policy stance.
This aggressive posture toward Venezuela, home to the world’s largest proven oil reserves estimated at over 300 billion barrels, appears to contradict Trump’s self-portrayal as a “peace president” who resolves rather than initiates conflicts. The classified presidential finding essentially authorizing regime change operations in Caracas represents a significant shift in this narrative.
The U.S. military is reportedly developing additional options for President Trump’s consideration, including potential strikes within Venezuelan territory. While the CIA’s specific operational plans remain unclear, the new authorization provides broad latitude for action against Maduro’s government.
The presence of American strategic bombers in Venezuelan airspace marks a major escalation in tensions between the two nations. Critics argue that the administration’s declared war on drug trafficking serves as a pretext for regime change operations aimed at accessing Venezuela’s vast oil resources, characterizing the military buildup as an act of international aggression.