Trump Authorizes CIA Operations in Venezuela, Considers Ground Assaults on Cartels
A deepening crisis unfolds in Venezuela as the United States, under President Donald Trump, has authorized covert Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) operations within the country and is contemplating direct military action against drug cartels operating there. The escalating tensions have prompted a strong rebuke from Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who denounced the moves as a potential “CIA coup d’état” and a threat to regional stability.
Since August, Washington has significantly increased its military presence in the Caribbean Sea, deploying warships and warplanes ostensibly for counter-narcotics operations off the Venezuelan coast. These efforts have already resulted in at least five engagements with vessels suspected of being involved in drug trafficking, leading to 27 fatalities.
During a press conference at the Oval Office on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, Trump addressed reports from The New York Times detailing his secret approval of CIA actions targeting Maduro’s government. While declining to provide specific details, the President confirmed authorizing the operations, stating, “But I authorized it for two reasons, really,” before leveling accusations against Maduro of leading a “narcoterrorist regime” and allegedly releasing prisoners to be sent to the united States.
When pressed on whether he had authorized the CIA to “eliminate” Maduro,Trump responded with characteristic ambiguity: “It’s ridiculous to ask me that question. It’s not really a ridiculous question, but wouldn’t it be ridiculous for me to answer it?”
The President further indicated a potential expansion of U.S. involvement, suggesting consideration of ground attacks against Venezuelan cartels. “We are certainly thinking about the land now, because we already have the sea well under control,” Trump declared.
Maduro swiftly condemned the U.S. actions,rejecting the possibility of a “CIA coup d’état” and warning against a broader “war in the Caribbean.” He vehemently denied allegations of links to drug trafficking, characterizing them as a pretext for intervention. “No to the war in the Caribbean, no to the war in South America, yes to peace,” Maduro stated in a nationally broadcast address. He drew parallels to past U.S. military engagements,citing Afghanistan,Iran,Iraq,and Libya as examples of “failed eternal wars.”
The Venezuelan president also asserted that his nation faces the “most lethal and extravagant military threat in history,” and questioned how long the U.S. would continue pursuing such policies in Latin America. “How long will the CIA coups d’état last? Latin America does not want them, does not need them and repudiates them,” he added.
The U.S. military buildup followed a recent increase in the reward offered for information leading to Maduro’s capture, raising the stakes significantly. Currently,the reward stands at $50 million.
In response to the escalating threat, Maduro ordered large-scale military exercises in areas bordering Colombia, and also in the densely populated neighborhoods of Catia and Petare in Caracas. State television broadcast images of armored vehicles mobilizing in Petare, demonstrating a clear show of force. Additional exercises are planned along Venezuela’s Atlantic Caribbean coast and in the states of Táchira, Apure, and Amazonas, near the Colombian border.
According to Maduro, these exercises are intended to “defend mountains, coasts, schools, hospitals, factories, markets” and communities, ensuring the continued pursuit of peace. Diosdado Cabello, Venezuela’s Minister of the Interior, alleged that the U.S.actions are motivated by a desire to seize Venezuela’s vast natural resources. He characterized the mobilization as part of a “permanent offensive” against U.S. “siege” and “aggression.”
The situation remains highly volatile, with the potential for further escalation.The coming weeks will be critical in determining whether diplomatic efforts can de-escalate the crisis or if the region is headed toward a more direct confrontation.
