Former U.S. President Donald Trump has confirmed that he authorized covert operations by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in Venezuela during his term in office, a revelation that underscores the depth of Washington’s efforts to undermine President Nicolás Maduro’s regime.

Speaking at a policy forum in Florida on Wednesday, Trump stated that his administration “took decisive steps behind the scenes” to support democratic opposition forces in Venezuela. “I gave the CIA the green light to do what needed to be done,” Trump said. “Maduro is a criminal, and we acted accordingly.”

While Trump did not elaborate on specific operations, intelligence sources previously indicated that the CIA provided logistical support and intelligence sharing to Venezuelan opposition figures, particularly during the political crisis of 2019–2021, when opposition leader Juan Guaidó was recognized by the U.S. and dozens of other countries as the legitimate interim president.

This is the first time a former U.S. president has publicly acknowledged greenlighting covert CIA activity against the Venezuelan government a move that raises significant legal and diplomatic questions.

The Venezuelan government swiftly condemned the statement, calling it “a blatant admission of foreign interference and hybrid warfare.” In a televised address, Maduro accused the U.S. of violating international law and said Trump’s remarks confirmed long held suspicions of covert destabilization efforts.

The CIA has not commented on the revelation, in line with its standard policy on intelligence matters.

Historical Context

The U.S. has a long and controversial history of covert interventions in Latin America, particularly during the Cold War, including operations in Chile, Nicaragua, and Cuba. Trump’s admission adds Venezuela to a list of nations where U.S. intelligence operations played a role in shaping internal political outcomes.

Relations between the U.S. and Venezuela have been hostile for over two decades, beginning under President Hugo Chávez and intensifying under Maduro. Sanctions, diplomatic expulsions, and efforts to isolate Caracas economically and politically have characterized bilateral ties since 2017.

Geopolitical Implications

Trump’s remarks could further complicate the Biden administration’s cautious diplomatic re-engagement with Venezuela, especially in light of recent talks over easing oil sanctions in exchange for democratic reforms.

Regional leaders in Latin America have long criticized U.S. interventionism, and Trump’s comments may reignite anti American sentiment among left leaning governments in the region.

Asif William Rahman, who joined the Central Intelligence Agency in 2016, admitted in a January plea deal that he had illegally downloaded, printed, and disseminated classified intelligence material on multiple occasions most recently throughout 2024.

“This case underscores the grave consequences of violating the trust placed in individuals granted access to the nation’s most sensitive secrets,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the DOJ’s National Security Division. “Mr. Rahman’s actions risked serious damage to U.S. foreign relations and compromised sensitive sources and methods.”

Repeated Breaches and International Fallout

According to court documents, Rahman took the classified materials from secured systems and shared them with unauthorized individuals. One of the most significant disclosures involved Israeli operational plans for a potential strike against Iranian nuclear infrastructure intelligence deemed critical to both U.S. and Middle East regional security.

Officials said the leaks could have jeopardized Israeli defense operations and strained diplomatic ties between the U.S. and its closest ally in the Middle East, especially amid heightened tensions over Iran’s nuclear program.

While the DOJ did not disclose the full extent of the damage, intelligence officials confirmed that some materials Rahman shared were marked Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) among the highest levels of classification.

Judgment and Accountability

Rahman, who had held a high-level security clearance, reportedly cooperated with authorities following his arrest. His attorneys argued for leniency, citing no evidence of espionage or foreign collusion. Nonetheless, prosecutors emphasized the “cumulative recklessness” of his actions. “While Mr. Rahman may not have sold secrets to foreign powers, his repeated disregard for protocols placed American interests and allies at risk,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves for the District of Columbia. In addition to his prison sentence, Rahman will face three years of supervised release upon completion of his term.

Wider Implications

The case highlights growing concerns within the intelligence community over insider threats and the increasing number of unauthorized disclosures of classified materials in recent years. It also renews calls for more stringent internal monitoring and cybersecurity reforms at intelligence agencies. This is the latest in a series of high-profile leak cases, including those involving former NSA contractor Edward Snowden and former Air National Guardsman Jack Teixeira, underscoring the ongoing vulnerability of U.S. classified systems.