Trump Confirms CIA Covert Operations in Venezuela Amid Military Strikes

President Donald Trump has confirmed that he authorized the CIA to conduct covert operations inside Venezuela, citing concerns over drug trafficking and the release of prisoners into the United States. This acknowledgment follows a series of U.S. military strikes targeting alleged drug-smuggling vessels in the Caribbean.

"I authorized for two reasons, really," Trump stated. "No. 1, they have emptied their prisons into the United States of America. 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."

Since early September, U.S. forces have destroyed at least five boats, resulting in 27 fatalities. Four of these vessels reportedly originated from Venezuela. The Trump administration has yet to provide evidence confirming that the targeted boats were carrying narcotics.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro criticized the U.S. actions, referencing past CIA interventions in Latin America. He stated, "No to regime change that reminds us so much of the (overthrows) in the failed eternal wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya and so on."

The U.S. military's recent actions have raised concerns among lawmakers. Senator Jeanne Shaheen expressed apprehension, saying, "The Trump administration's authorization of covert C.I.A. 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."

Human rights organizations have also voiced concerns, suggesting that the strikes may violate international law and constitute extrajudicial killings.