The Venezuelan government stated that Trump’s remarks constitute a violation of international law and the United Nations Charter. They added that the U.S. measures aim to legitimize a “regime change” process with the ultimate goal of seizing Venezuela’s oil resources.
Earlier on Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed that he approved the CIA to conduct covert operations inside Venezuela, indicating that he is considering strikes targeting drug trafficking gangs there. Speaking in the Oval Office, Trump said the United States is “exploring options on the ground” while considering further strikes in the region.
He added that the pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro—whom Washington and several other countries do not recognize as Venezuela’s legitimate leader—is part of Washington’s policy to “confront the illegitimate regime in Caracas.” In his remarks to journalists alongside FBI Director Kash Patel and Attorney General Pam Bondi, Trump explained that his decision was made for “two main reasons”: “First, because they emptied their prisons towards the United States,” adding, “The other issue is drugs, as large quantities come from Venezuela by sea, and we will work to stop it by land as well.”
Reports indicated that in recent weeks, U.S. forces carried out at least five strikes against boats suspected of carrying drugs in the Caribbean region, resulting in the death of 27 people. A report by “The New York Times” noted that Trump’s authorization allows the CIA to conduct operations inside Venezuela either independently or as part of a broader U.S. military activity. It was unclear whether the agency had already commenced these operations or was still in the preparation phase.
The latest U.S. strikes occurred last Tuesday and resulted in the death of six people. Trump stated via the “Truth Social” platform that “intelligence confirmed that the boat was smuggling drugs and linked to terrorist networks.” This escalation is part of a broader military campaign by Washington to pressure Maduro’s government, which includes deploying significant air and naval assets in the region, along with approximately 4,000 U.S. troops.
American media reports indicate that the Trump administration informed legislators that they consider themselves in a “non-international armed conflict” with drug trafficking organizations. Washington had previously accused Maduro of being involved in a smuggling network known as the “Cartel of the Suns,” which includes senior military and security officials in Venezuela—a claim that the Venezuelan president has repeatedly denied, considering “U.S. attacks to be a blatant violation of the country’s sovereignty.”
