Trump Authorises CIA Covert Ops in Venezuela — Considers Land Invasion Amid Rising Tensions with Maduro

 

In a major escalation of U.S.–Venezuela tensions, President Donald Trump has confirmed authorising CIA covert operations inside Venezuela — and hinted at the possibility of a land-based military campaign against the government of Nicolás Maduro.

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday alongside top law enforcement officials, Trump addressed a New York Times report revealing secret CIA directives. When pressed about the move, Trump justified his decision with two key claims: that Venezuela had “emptied its prisons” into the U.S., and that the country was a major hub for drug trafficking.

“We have a lot of drugs coming in from Venezuela. A lot of the Venezuelan drugs come in through the sea. But we’re going to stop them by land also,” Trump declared.

Trump’s remarks reflect an intensifying strategy that blends military action and intelligence coordination — similar to his administration’s earlier authorisation for drone and naval strikes in the Caribbean Sea, where at least five missile attacks since September have killed 27 people on vessels Washington accused of smuggling narcotics. The most recent strike, shared by Trump on social media, showed a small boat destroyed by a missile; six people were reportedly killed.

The Venezuelan government swiftly condemned the announcement, accusing Washington of violating international law and the UN Charter. Caracas labelled the U.S. actions as part of a “regime-change operation” aimed at seizing control of the country’s natural resources.

When asked if the CIA had authority to “take out” President Maduro, Trump avoided a direct answer, saying:

“Oh, I don’t want to answer a question like that… but I think Venezuela’s feeling heat.”

Since returning to office, Trump has leaned on wartime powers — including the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 — to justify actions against Latin American nations he accuses of exporting crime and drugs to U.S. soil. He has repeatedly alleged that Maduro’s government sent prisoners and mentally ill individuals into the United States, claims widely dismissed by U.S. intelligence reports and independent analysts.

Despite lacking public evidence, Trump has called the recent bombings “a success,” claiming they’ve “almost totally stopped” drug inflows by sea and suggesting the next phase could target land routes. “Now, we’ll stop it by land,” he added, joking that even local fishermen were staying off the waters.

Experts warn the CIA authorisation signals the most direct U.S. intervention in Venezuela since 2019, when Trump first considered military options against the Maduro regime. Legal scholars argue that the Caribbean missile strikes and covert activities likely breach international law, as alleged “narco-terrorists” do not qualify as lawful combatants under war definitions.

Despite the controversy, Trump’s domestic approval among his base has surged, driven by his tough stance on immigration and drugs. The unfolding crisis now sets the stage for a new era of geopolitical friction, potentially drawing in regional allies and reshaping Latin American power dynamics.

Observers say the U.S. administration appears committed to applying “maximum pressure” on Maduro while maintaining plausible deniability through CIA operations. With both nations ramping up military posturing along the Caribbean, analysts warn the world could be watching the early moves of a shadow conflict brewing in the Americas.