Trump Admits CIA Is Active in Venezuela
The admission came after US forces destroyed at least five alleged drug-smuggling boats in the Caribbean since early September, four of which reportedly originated from Venezuela, as per the report. The strikes have killed at least 27 people, including six in the most recent incident.
Trump Explains Why He Approved CIA Operations in Venezuela
When asked during an Oval Office event on Wednesday why he gave the CIA the green light to act in Venezuela, Trump offered two reasons. He said, “I authorised for two reasons, really. Number one, they have emptied their prisons into the United States of America,” as quoted by ABC News. Trump added, “And the other thing, the drugs, we have a lot of drugs coming in from Venezuela, and a lot of the Venezuelan drugs come in through the sea,” as quoted in the report.
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Possible Expansion to Land Operations
He even pointed out that the administration is also “looking at land” as it considers further military actions in the region. However, he declined to clarify whether the CIA has authority to target Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro directly, as per the ABC News report.
Nicolás Maduro Responds to Trump’s Comments
In response, Maduro condemned the move, criticising the CIA’s record in global conflicts without directly referencing Trump’s remarks. He said, “How long will the CIA continue to carry on with its coups?” adding, “Latin America doesn’t want them, doesn’t need them and repudiates them,” as quoted in the report.
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Venezuela’s Foreign Ministry Issues a Strong Statement
Venezuela’s foreign ministry also issued a strong statement rejecting what it described as “bellicose and extravagant statements” by Trump, calling the authorisation an “operations to act against the peace and stability of Venezuela,” as quoted by ABC News.
US Declares Drug Cartels as Unlawful Combatants
Earlier this month, the Trump administration declared that drug cartels are “unlawful combatants,” effectively placing the US in an “armed conflict” with them, as per the report. Officials have justified the escalation as necessary to stop the flow of narcotics into the United States, as per the ABC News report.
Criticism from US Lawmakers
However, the president’s decision has sparked bipartisan backlash in Congress. Lawmakers from both parties say the move edges the US closer to conflict without congressional approval or transparency, as per the ABC News report.
Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen criticised the administration’s actions, saying, “The Trump administration’s authorisation of covert CIA action, conducting lethal strikes on boats and hinting at land operations in Venezuela, slides the United States closer to outright conflict with no transparency, oversight or apparent guardrails,” as quoted by ABC News.
FAQs
What did Trump confirm about the CIA in Venezuela?
Trump confirmed that he authorised the CIA to carry out covert operations inside Venezuela.
Why did Trump authorise CIA involvement?
He cited Venezuela’s prison releases into the US and drug trafficking through the Caribbean as reasons.
