Trump Authorizes CIA Covert Operation in Venezuela: Donald Trump confirms CIA covert operations in Venezuela, escalating U.S.-Venezuela tensions. Analysts warn this unprecedented move could reshape regional security and intensify global diplomatic pressure.

In a bold move to tackle escalating drug trafficking, U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed on October 15, 2025, that he has authorized the CIA to carry out covert operations in Venezuela. This decision marks a sharp intensification of pressure on President Nicolas Maduro’s government, with the U.S. aiming to curb the large-scale flow of narcotics into American territory. Trump criticized traditional methods, including Coast Guard interventions, as ineffective, emphasizing a more strategic and direct approach. The announcement has drawn international attention, with analysts closely watching potential consequences for regional security, U.S.-Venezuela relations, and the broader geopolitical landscape. Venezuelan authorities, including Maduro’s Information Ministry, have yet to respond to the U.S. directive, keeping the situation tense and uncertain.
TruTrump Authorizes CIA Covert Operations in Venezuela: $50 Million Bounty and Land-Based Anti-Drug Operations
The New York Times reported that the Trump administration has granted the CIA authority to carry out covert operations in Venezuela and the Caribbean, aiming to remove President Nicolas Maduro from power. This includes offering $50 million for information leading to Maduro’s arrest and conviction on drug trafficking charges.
Trump explained that his decision stems from two major concerns: the migration of Venezuelans into the U.S., including individuals allegedly released from Venezuelan prisons, and drug trafficking into the country. While maritime drug routes have largely been controlled, Trump highlighted a renewed focus on overland drug interdiction.
Officials note that the CIA’s expanded authority could include lethal operations, although the specifics remain classified. The White House has declined to provide further details, leaving analysts to evaluate the geopolitical and security implications of the U.S.’s escalating actions in the region.
U.S. Lawmakers Question Trump’s Venezuela Strategy Amid Rising Tensions
President Donald Trump’s recent allegations that Venezuela released prisoners, including those from mental health facilities, into the United States have drawn concern from U.S. lawmakers. He did not specify which border these individuals crossed, leaving details vague. Neither Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s Information Ministry nor opposition leader Maria Corina Machado’s representatives have responded to requests for comment, further intensifying uncertainty.
The Trump administration’s limited disclosure regarding covert strikes has frustrated members of Congress across party lines. Senator Jeanne Shaheen, ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, warned that the U.S. is being pushed closer to potential conflict. “The American people deserve to know if the Administration is leading the U.S. into another conflict, putting service members at risk or pursuing a regime-change operation,” Shaheen stated, highlighting growing bipartisan scrutiny over the White House’s approach toward Venezuela.
Venezuela Condemns Trump’s Covert Actions as Illegal “Regime Change”
Venezuelan authorities have strongly condemned U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent authorization of CIA operations in the country, calling it a violation of international law. According to Foreign Minister Yvan Gil, the move is aimed at facilitating a “regime change” to seize Venezuela’s oil resources. The government plans to raise the issue at the United Nations Security Council and directly with the Secretary-General to demand accountability.
President Nicolas Maduro labeled the CIA-backed actions as “coups d’état” and mobilized military, police, and civilian militias to protect key infrastructure, including schools, hospitals, factories, and markets. He emphasized that any attacks on Venezuelan soil are unacceptable, vowing to defend the nation’s sovereignty.
Meanwhile, Trump reiterated his claims of combating “narcoterrorists,” citing previous maritime strikes that reportedly resulted in 27 casualties, although he has provided no concrete evidence linking Maduro to drug trafficking. The escalating tensions highlight the widening diplomatic and security crisis in the Caribbean region.