Trump Authorizes Covert CIA Operations in Venezuela, Signals Possible Land Strikes

Trump confirmed that the U.S. has authorized covert CIA operations in Venezuela, including lethal missions, either independently or alongside U.S. military forces.
He cited two reasons: “they have emptied their prisons into the United States” and “we have a lot of drugs coming in from Venezuela.”
The administration has already targeted suspected drug‑trafficking vessels in the Caribbean, resulting in 27 deaths.
Trump said the U.S. is now considering land-based strikes “to stop them by land also.”

The authorization reportedly comes from a classified presidential finding that expands CIA authority in the Caribbean region.
Earlier operations focused on maritime actions; the new directive may shift operations into Venezuelan territory.
The Trump administration has labeled some Venezuelan criminal networks as “foreign terrorist organizations” to justify stronger action.
Trump has also sought wartime powers (e.g. Alien Enemies Act) to support his claims of conflict with criminal groups and migration.

Venezuela’s government condemned the actions as violations of international law and the UN Charter, accusing the U.S. of seeking regime change.
Foreign Minister Yvan Gil said the U.S. move aims to “create legitimacy for an operation to change the regime in Venezuela.”
Trump declined to explicitly confirm targeting Maduro, calling the question “ridiculous”.
Critics and legal experts warn of separation-of-powers issues, lack of congressional oversight, and possible violations of sovereignty.
Human rights groups have flagged the risks to civilian harm and unclear legal justification for lethal covert actions.