The Trump administration authorized the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to conduct covert operations in Venezuela amid a U.S. drug crackdown in the region, the New York Times (NYT) reported Wednesday.
These lethal operations include potential action in Venezuela and the Caribbean, according to the report, which cited anonymous U.S. officials.
The CIA would be able to take covert action against the head of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, and his administration, either independently or as part of a larger military operation, the outlet reported. It is unknown whether the agency plans to take any direct actions or if the authorization was given as part of a contingency. (RELATED: ‘I’m Not Playing Games’: Trump Threatens Hamas)
This report follows NBC News claiming U.S. military officials are considering an attack within Venezuela’s borders against drug traffickers, as well as statements from some U.S. officials teasing the possibility of Venezuelan regime change.President Donald Trump has also authorized strikes on several “narcoterrorist” drug boats off the coast of Venezuela.
Army soldiers participate in a military parade displaying electoral material to be used in the upcoming presidential elections at Fuerte Tiuna in Caracas on July 24, 2024. Venezuela will hold presidential elections on July 28, 2024. (Photo by STRINGER/AFP via Getty Images)
The most recent strike was Tuesday.
Drug traffickers are adapting their strategies to continue operations despite increased U.S. military pressure, the NYT previously reported.
In the most recent strike Tuesday, Trump stated the boat was tied to a Designated Terrorist Organization (DTO).
“If the gringos threaten us, we will work harder. If the gringos attack, we will respond, but nothing will stop our work,” Maduro said, according to El País Oct. 9.
Maduro also committed to more than doubling the deployment of troops to the country’s Caribbean coastline and its border with Colombia, CBS News reported Sept. 9.
The U.S. military reportedly mobilized forces to the Caribbean to bolster the military’s presence in the region and boost efforts to shoot down U.S.-bound narcotics.
It is not uncommon for the CIA to work with allied governments in Latin America on security and intelligence sharing. However, the agency did not have authorization to conduct direct lethal operations, according to the NYT’s report.
The CIA declined the Daily Caller’s request for comment.
