Trump confirms he authorized secret CIA operations in Venezuela Venezuela
Donald Trump on Wednesday confirmed reports that he allowed the CIA to conduct covert operations in Venezuela, marking a sharp escalation in US efforts to pressure the regime of President Nicolas Maduro.
The New York Times was the first to publish the secret directive, citing American officials familiar with the decision.
The US President said that he allowed this measure for two main reasons.
First, he claimed that Venezuela was releasing large numbers of prisoners, including individuals from mental health facilities, into the United States, often crossing the border because of what he described as an open border policy. Trump did not specify which border they were crossing.
He added that the second reason is the large amount of drugs entering the United States from Venezuela, most of which are smuggled by sea.
“I think Venezuela is getting nervous,” Trump added, but refused to answer when asked whether the CIA had the authority to execute Maduro.
Maduro denounced what he called “coups orchestrated by the CIA” shortly after Trump also announced he was considering strikes against Venezuelan cartels on the ground.
“No to war in the Caribbean. No to regime change. No to coups orchestrated by the CIA,” Maduro, the leftist leader, said in a speech to a committee formed after Washington deployed warships to the Caribbean in what it said was an anti-drug operation.
At least 27 people have been killed in US attacks in the Caribbean so far.
After another boat was attacked, Maduro on Wednesday ordered military exercises in the country’s largest shantytown, and said he was mobilizing the army, police and civilian militia to defend Venezuela’s “mountains, coasts, schools, hospitals, factories and markets.”
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Trump claimed they were “drug terrorists” without providing evidence.
US President Maduro is accused of heading a drug gang, charges he denies. In August, Washington doubled its reward for information leading to Maduro’s arrest to $50 million.
The Venezuelan president is widely accused of stealing last year’s elections.