U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed he has authorized covert CIA operations inside Venezuela, framing the move as a response to drug trafficking and alleged prisoner releases. The admission comes amid a string of lethal maritime strikes off Venezuela and a failed Senate bid to curb the administration’s war powers, setting up a volatile clash with Caracas and a bruising debate in Washington.

What Trump Confirmed

Trump said he “authorized” covert CIA action in Venezuela and added the administration “is looking at land” operations, while declining to say whether the spy agency could act against Nicolás Maduro.

He argued Venezuela was sending drugs by sea and had “emptied their prisons” into the United States, claims offered without public evidence. The acknowledgment followed reporting that a classified directive had been issued on Venezuela.

Maduro’s Response And The Legal Fight

Maduro railed against “coups carried out by the CIA” and said “no to war in the Caribbean,” as Venezuela’s Foreign Ministry called Trump’s remarks a “very serious violation” of international law and the UN Charter.

In Washington, critics warned the campaign lacks transparency and congressional oversight, with lawmakers questioning the legal basis for declaring cartels “unlawful combatants.” A Senate effort to rein in strikes failed in a 48–51 vote last week.

Strikes At Sea And Regional Fallout

U.S. forces have destroyed at least five boats since early September—four said to have originated in Venezuela—killing 27 people, according to official tallies. A strike this week killed six more off Venezuela’s coast, and regional tensions rose as Colombia’s president alleged one hit a Colombian vessel.

Rights groups and legal experts say the actions risk extrajudicial killings and escalation, while the White House argues missiles are more effective than traditional interdictions.