Trump secretly authorises CIA for lethal Venezuela missions to oust Maduro

New Delhi,UPDATED: Oct 16, 2025 01:40 IST

The Trump administration has secretly authorised the CIA to conduct covert operations in Venezuela as part of its campaign to remove President Nicols Maduro from power, according to US officials.

The authorisation marks a sharp escalation in the administration’s efforts to pressure Caracas. In recent weeks, US forces have targeted boats off Venezuela’s coast allegedly used for drug trafficking, killing 27 people. Officials have privately said the ultimate goal is regime change — to drive Maduro from power.

The new directive gives the CIA power to carry out lethal missions and other clandestine operations across Venezuela and the Caribbean — either independently or as part of a broader US military plan. It remains unclear whether such operations are underway or if the authorization serves as a contingency measure, the New York Times reported.

Meanwhile, the Pentagon is preparing its own set of military options for President Trump, including potential airstrikes inside Venezuela. The administration’s strategy — crafted by Secretary of State Marco Rubio with CIA Director John Ratcliffe — envisions Maduro’s removal through a mix of covert and military pressure.

A major US buildup is already visible in the southern Caribbean. Roughly 10,000 American troops are stationed in the region, most in Puerto Rico, supported by a Marine contingent aboard amphibious assault ships. The Navy has deployed eight surface warships and one nuclear-powered submarine, the USS Newport News, capable of launching Tomahawk cruise missiles.

The Marine task force includes nearly 2,000 troops, with helicopters, Osprey aircraft, and Harrier jets. The US has also sent ten F-35 stealth fighters to Puerto Rico, some arriving last week.

Maduro, for his part, has long accused Washington of plotting to overthrow him. The US has doubled its reward to $50 million for information leading to his capture, accusing him of leading the Cartel de los Soles — a powerful network blamed for smuggling drugs into the US. The Treasury Department designated the cartel a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) group in July 2025.

Since 2020, Maduro has consolidated power through what Washington calls a strangling of democracy. He declared victory in Venezuela’s disputed July 28, 2024, election but provided no proof of his win. The US has refused to recognize Maduro as Venezuela’s legitimate president.

US, VENEZUELA CLASH at UN MEETING

The United States clashed with Venezuela and its allies at an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on Friday, as Washington defended its recent military strikes in the Caribbean and vowed to use its “full might” against drug cartels.

Venezuela, backed by Russia and China, accused President Donald Trump of using anti-narcotics operations as a pretext to overthrow President Nicols Maduro and destabilize the region. Caracas had called the urgent session after US forces struck four boats it said were carrying narcotics.

Venezuela’s UN ambassador, Samuel Moncada, said: “The belligerent action and rhetoric of the US government objectively point to the fact that we are facing a situation in which it is rational to anticipate that in the very short term, an armed attack is to be perpetrated against Venezuela.

US officials rejected the claim. Political Counselor John Kelley, speaking in place of Ambassador Mike Waltz, said President Trump has been very clear that he is going to use the full power of America, and the full might of the United States, to take on and eradicate these drug cartels, no matter where they’re operating from and no matter now long they have been able to act with impunity.

Trump has declared the United States is in “a non-international armed conflict” with the cartels, saying the military strikes are lawful acts of self-defense under the UN Charter.

- Ends

(With inputs from agencies)

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