President Donald Trump has given the green light for the CIA to carry out covert operations in Venezuela, as reported on Wednesday. This move signifies a significant increase in US efforts to exert pressure on President Nicolas Maduro’s government. The New York Times initially disclosed the classified directive, citing sources familiar with the decision.
Recent actions by US forces have targeted boats off the Venezuelan coast suspected of involvement in drug trafficking, resulting in the deaths of 27 individuals. Officials have indicated that the ultimate objective is regime change, aiming to oust Maduro from power.
The new directive empowers the CIA to conduct lethal missions and other secret operations throughout Venezuela and the Caribbean, either independently or as part of a broader US military strategy. It is uncertain whether such operations are currently in progress or if the authorization is a precautionary measure.
In parallel, the Pentagon is formulating military options for President Trump, including the possibility of airstrikes within Venezuela. The administration’s plan, developed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and CIA Director John Ratcliffe, envisions Maduro’s removal through a combination of covert and military pressures.
A significant US military presence is evident in the southern Caribbean region, with around 10,000 American troops stationed there, primarily in Puerto Rico. They are supported by a Marine contingent aboard amphibious assault ships, along with eight surface warships and a nuclear-powered submarine, the USS Newport News, capable of launching Tomahawk cruise missiles.
The Marine task force comprises nearly 2,000 troops equipped with helicopters, Osprey aircraft, and Harrier jets. Additionally, the US has dispatched ten F-35 stealth fighters to Puerto Rico, with some of them arriving recently.
Maduro has consistently accused the US of conspiring to overthrow him. The US has doubled the reward to $50 million for information leading to his capture, alleging his leadership of the Cartel de los Soles, a significant network involved in drug smuggling to the US. In July 2025, the Treasury Department classified the cartel as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) group.
Since 2020, Maduro has solidified his grip on power through what Washington describes as a suppression of democracy. Despite declaring victory in Venezuela’s disputed election on July 28, 2024, Maduro has failed to provide evidence of his electoral success. The US has refused to acknowledge Maduro as Venezuela’s legitimate president.
At a recent emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, the United States found itself at odds with Venezuela and its allies. Washington defended its military actions in the Caribbean, pledging to utilize its full strength against drug cartels. In response, Venezuela, supported by Russia and China, accused President Trump of using anti-narcotics operations as a pretext to destabilize the region and remove President Maduro from power.
Venezuela’s UN ambassador, Samuel Moncada, expressed concerns about a potential armed attack by the US government, while US officials denied such intentions. Political Counselor John Kelley affirmed President Trump’s commitment to combat drug cartels using the full force of the United States within the boundaries of international law.
Trump has characterized the US engagement with the cartels as a “non-international armed conflict,” asserting that the military strikes are justifiable acts of self-defense under the UN Charter.