Report: Trump authorizes CIA to conduct covert operations against drug cartels in Venezuela
US President Donald Trump has reportedly authorized the CIA to carry out lethal covert operations in Venezuela
NEW YORK, United States (MNTV) – US President Donald Trump has reportedly authorized the CIA to carry out lethal covert operations in Venezuela, marking a new phase in Washington’s pressure campaign against President Nicolas Maduro, The New York Times reported Wednesday.
According to the report, the CIA’s operations could extend to other parts of the Caribbean and may target Maduro or senior members of his government, either independently or as part of a wider US military effort. Officials cited by the outlet said the ultimate goal is to remove Maduro from power.
The development follows a series of escalations over recent days. On Tuesday, Trump announced that US forces had destroyed a fifth alleged drug-smuggling boat off Venezuela’s coast, bringing the total to 27 vessels and resulting in six deaths.
A day later, three US B-52 bombers conducted a flyover near Venezuelan airspace. Analysts tracking the aircraft’s trajectory noted that one appeared to draw a crude symbol during the flight.
Local outlet Monitoreamos identified the bombers as B-52H Stratofortress aircraft BUNNY01 (61-0010), BUNNY02 (60-0052), and BUNNY03 (60-0033), which remained in the area for several minutes.
The developments coincided with a regional visit by US Central Command (CENTCOM) chief Adm. Alvin Holsey to Grenada and Trinidad and Tobago — both located near Venezuela. Reports indicate Washington is seeking to position military equipment in Grenada, though the island has yet to respond. Antigua and Barbuda, meanwhile, has rejected hosting any US military assets.
Despite rising tensions, sources close to the Venezuelan government told El País that Maduro remains defiant. “Maduro is not going anywhere,” one insider said, adding that the president intends to “resist whatever comes and wait for Trump to hesitate.”
According to The New York Times, US intelligence assessments suggest Venezuela’s leadership — including Maduro, Delcy and Jorge Rodríguez, Diosdado Cabello, and Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López — believe they can outlast the current wave of US pressure, having “developed survival instincts after more than six years of governing in extreme situations.”
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