US Authorizes CIA Operations in Venezuela as Maduro Warns Against Regime Change
In a move that underscores the escalating confrontation between Washington and Caracas, President Donald Trump confirmed reports that the CIA has been authorised to conduct covert operations inside Venezuela. The disclosure comes as the United States has stepped up its pressure in the Caribbean and amid continued global scrutiny of the legitimacy of Nicolás Maduro’s presidency.
The White House has indicated that the CIA’s expanded role could be unilateral or coordinated with broader US military actions in the region. Trump cited two primary concerns: the influx of Venezuelan prisoners into the United States and the significant flow of drugs moving through Caribbean routes. “We’re going to stop them by land also,” he said, signaling a broadened scope beyond traditional maritime interdiction.
Rising Tensions in the Caribbean: Strikes and Concerns
Over recent weeks, US forces have conducted multiple strikes on vessels suspected of drug trafficking in the Caribbean, resulting in dozens of deaths and drawing sharp international condemnation. The strikes have been described by UN-appointed human rights experts as extrajudicial executions, a charge that adds to the diplomatic frictions surrounding the campaign.
Trump has also announced a visible military buildup in the Caribbean, including warships, a nuclear submarine, and fighter aircraft. The administration frames these deployments as necessary to disrupt narcotics networks and degrade the operational capabilities of drug-trafficking organisations (DTOs) linked to Venezuela and its western Caribbean shores.
Maduro’s Response: Peace Over Regime Change
From Caracas, Nicolás Maduro appealed for restraint and sought to frame the dispute in terms of peace rather than conflict. In a nationally broadcast message, he told the American public he seeks “no war, yes peace,” while warning against what he described as CIA-orchestrated coups and “regime change.” His government has characterised the US actions as aggressive and destabilising, arguing they threaten Venezuela’s sovereignty and regional stability.
Maduro’s leadership has faced long-standing international questions about legitimacy, following disputed elections last year. He has repeatedly denied allegations that his regime colludes with drug-trafficking networks, while publicly denouncing US interference as a direct threat to Venezuela’s stability and oil wealth. He also mobilised the country’s military, police, and civilian militia in what he described as a defensive posture to deter foreign incursions.
What Was Said and What It Means for Policy
The Trump administration asserted that the CIA’s expanded mandate is tied to counter-narcotics and non-state actor operations within Venezuela. Yet details remain scarce about the scope, targets, and oversight of such covert actions. The public acknowledgment has prompted debates about regional sovereignty, the risk of escalation, and the potential for miscalculation in a politically volatile country with significant strategic value due to its energy resources and position along major sea lanes.
Analysts note that a presidential finding is typically required to authorize covert CIA activity, with implications for both domestic law and international norms. The possibility of unilateral action raises questions about how the United States intends to coordinate with regional allies and whether any operations could become a prelude to broader regime-change attempts or merely enforcement against narcotics networks.
International Reactions and Future Scenarios
Nearby governments and international bodies have voiced concern about an escalation that could destabilise the Caribbean basin. Maduro’s government has signalled readiness to defend its sovereignty, while Washington countered that persistent narcotics flows pose a domestic security threat that justifies aggressive action in the surrounding seas and airspace.
As this dispute evolves, observers will watch for clarification on the CIA’s mandate, the legality of any operations under international law, and the potential for diplomatic channels to reopen. The coming weeks could redefine US-Venezuela relations and set a precedent for covert actions in other disputed states.
Bottom Line
With the CIA’s expanded role, the United States seeks to curb narcotics trafficking and counter perceived threats emanating from Venezuela. Maduro’s call for peace and his warnings against regime change reflect a regional power struggle that is unfolding under a cloud of secrecy and high-stakes geopolitics. The world will be watching how Washington and Caracas navigate this perilous corridor between covert action and open confrontation.
