WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump confirmed on October 15, 2025, that he authorized the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to conduct covert operations inside Venezuela. This move marks a significant escalation in U.S. efforts to combat drug trafficking and exert pressure on President Nicolás Maduro’s regime.
[This is White House video of the entire Trump speech on Wednesday evening, covering a variety of topics.]
The CIA’s involvement follows a series of U.S. military strikes in the Caribbean, targeting vessels allegedly linked to Venezuelan drug cartels. These operations have resulted in at least five boats being destroyed since early September, with 27 individuals reported dead. President Trump stated, “I authorized for two reasons, really. 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”.
While the CIA’s current role is reportedly limited to intelligence gathering, President Trump hinted at the possibility of expanding operations to include land-based strikes. He remarked, “We are certainly looking at land now” when asked about future military actions in Venezuela.
The administration’s actions have drawn criticism from various quarters. Legal experts question the justification for the strikes under both U.S. and international law, noting the absence of a declared war and the lack of concrete evidence linking the targeted vessels to drug trafficking. Additionally, human rights organizations express concern over the potential for extrajudicial killings and the broader implications for regional stability.
In response, President Maduro condemned the U.S. actions as violations of international law and the UN Charter, labeling them as acts of warmongering.
Sources:
- AP News: Trump confirms CIA operations in Venezuela
- Reuters: Trump authorizes CIA covert actions in Venezuela
- The Guardian: Trump authorizes CIA operations in Venezuela
- ABC News: Trump confirms CIA operations and hints at land strikes in Venezuela
- Spectrum News: Trump won’t rule out land strikes in Venezuela
- Time: Trump confirms latest U.S. strike on alleged drug boat off Venezuela
- Wikipedia: 2025 United States strikes on Venezuelan boats
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