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.

Speaking at a press briefing at the White House, President Trump said the vessel was “actively transporting illegal narcotics destined for American shores” and posed “a direct threat to U.S. national security.”

“We will not allow drug cartels to operate with impunity,” Trump stated. “This is yet another warning to those who think they can infiltrate our borders and poison our communities.”

Details of the Strike Remain Limited

While the Pentagon has not yet released detailed operational footage or full confirmation of the vessel’s cargo, a senior defense official said the strike occurred in international waters near the southern Caribbean and involved U.S. Navy and intelligence assets.

Preliminary reports indicate the vessel was tracked for several days before being neutralized. There were no immediate reports of casualties, and U.S. officials said the crew onboard would be subject to further investigation.

This is the second military action against a suspected drug trafficking vessel from Venezuela in the past month, reflecting increasing pressure from the U.S. administration on the Maduro regime and transnational criminal networks operating in the region.

Tensions With Venezuela Resurface

The strike is likely to escalate tensions between Washington and Caracas, which have remained strained despite intermittent diplomatic overtures. The Venezuelan government has not yet commented on the incident, though previous accusations of harboring drug traffickers have been denied by President Nicolás Maduro’s administration.

Analysts note that Trump’s hardline stance on border security and drug enforcement remains a central theme of his second-term policy agenda, especially in the lead up to the midterm elections.

More to Come

The U.S. Department of Defense is expected to release further details, including satellite imagery and identification of the vessel, in the coming days.

His comments came during a press conference in Mexico City, held just a day after a U.S. military strike in international waters sank a boat allegedly operated by Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua gang and killing 11 people. Rubio defended the strike by arguing that traditional interdiction tactics simply don’t work. “What will stop them is when you blow them up, when you get rid of them,” he stated.

While Rubio reiterated the U.S. commitment to bilateral security cooperation, particularly with Mexico, the tone set by his remarks reflects a willingness to act unilaterally if deemed necessary.

Legal and Sovereignty Issues Stir Regional Alarm

Experts and regional leaders have raised red flags about the legality of such military actions. Though the strike occurred in international waters, international law generally prohibits lethal force outside armed conflict, especially against criminal not military targets.

Mexico voiced strong caution. President Claudia Sheinbaum and her foreign minister emphasized their unwillingness to allow U.S. military operations on Mexican soil, insisting that collaboration must respect territorial sovereignty.

This Marks a Tactical Shift in U.S. Counter‑Narcotics Strategy

With the Tren de Aragua gang designated as a “narco‑terrorist” organization, the Trump administration is framing drug trafficking as a national security threat equal to terrorism thus extending the justification for lethal force beyond traditional law enforcement boundaries.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth echoed these sentiments, confirming that the strike was part of a broader campaign and signaling further military operations in the Caribbean.

What This Means

This is more than a tactical adjustment it’s a structural change in how the U.S. confronts drug trafficking. By leveraging military force and bypassing standard interdiction protocols, the U.S. is stepping into controversial legal and ethical territory. The consequences extend far beyond immediate counter narcotics goals, potentially destabilizing diplomatic relations in the region and setting a volatile precedent for extrajudicial action.

Venezuela’s defense leadership has issued a stern warning to the United States following reports of an increased U.S. naval presence near its maritime borders. Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López declared that the Venezuelan military is “preparing to fight” should American forces cross into Venezuelan territory.

His comments, broadcast through state media, come amid heightened U.S. anti-narcotics operations in the Caribbean Sea, with American warships reportedly being deployed off the coast of Venezuela. Additional vessels are expected to arrive next week as part of expanded U.S. efforts to target drug trafficking networks in the region.

“We are ready to respond to any circumstance. Venezuela is not afraid,” said López during a televised address, signaling defiance against what the government views as intimidation by Washington.

Background & Strategic Context

The U.S. has long accused Venezuela of being a transit point for illicit drug shipments headed toward North America and Europe. Washington’s strategy has included aerial surveillance, sanctions, and now, a renewed maritime presence aimed at disrupting cartel operations. However, the increase in U.S. naval activity has also raised alarms in Caracas, where government officials claim the actions infringe on Venezuela’s sovereignty and serve broader geopolitical motives.

Tensions between the two nations have been simmering for years, particularly following U.S. sanctions against the government of President Nicolás Maduro and its close military and economic ties with Russia, China, and Iran. While the U.S. officially supports opposition movements in Venezuela, diplomatic relations remain largely frozen.

Regional and Diplomatic Fallout

The Venezuelan government’s latest warning could escalate regional concerns over military confrontation. Analysts suggest that while an outright conflict remains unlikely, the tone from both Caracas and Washington risks deepening political divisions across Latin America and increasing the potential for miscalculation.

In recent years, Venezuela has bolstered its defense posture by conducting joint exercises with allies and expanding military cooperation with foreign partners. Meanwhile, U.S. Navy forces have operated increasingly in the region under counter-narcotics missions and freedom of navigation operations, particularly near nations deemed strategically significant.

What’s Next?

With more U.S. warships expected to arrive in the Caribbean within the next week, diplomatic watchers are closely monitoring for any signs of direct confrontation. Both nations have yet to announce any formal talks, and no intermediaries have been confirmed to de-escalate the situation.

For now, both sides remain entrenched in rhetoric, with Venezuela vowing to defend its territory and the U.S. reiterating its commitment to international law and regional security.

Speaking to reporters, Leavitt referred to Maduro as a “dictator” and confirmed that the Venezuelan leader has been indicted a reference to U.S. federal charges filed in 2020 that accused him of drug trafficking and narco-terrorism. “President Trump is prepared to use every element of national power to stop Maduro and support the Venezuelan people,” Leavitt stated.

Her comments follow Venezuela’s UN ambassador publicly rejecting the drug trafficking allegations, calling them “baseless” and “politically motivated.” The diplomatic clash comes amid growing international pressure on Caracas over human rights abuses, suppression of political dissent, and economic collapse.

Background:

Nicolás Maduro has ruled Venezuela since 2013 following the death of Hugo Chávez. His presidency has been marked by widespread accusations of electoral fraud, economic mismanagement, and the violent repression of opposition figures. In 2018, Maduro claimed victory in an election widely condemned by international observers as neither free nor fair.

In response, over 50 countries including the United States and several EU nations recognized opposition leader Juan Guaidó as interim president in 2019. However, Guaidó’s political momentum has since stalled, and Maduro has maintained control of the military and state institutions.

In 2020, the U.S. Department of Justice indicted Maduro and several members of his inner circle on charges of narco terrorism and conspiracy to smuggle cocaine into the United States. While enforcement of these indictments has been largely symbolic, they have strained diplomatic relations further.

Current Developments:

Leavitt’s remarks suggest a sharp escalation in tone and policy, potentially opening the door for expanded sanctions, regional coordination, or covert support to opposition groups.

The comments come at a sensitive time, as Venezuela prepares for parliamentary elections in December, which international observers warn could be manipulated to further entrench Maduro’s power.

The Venezuelan government, in response to Leavitt’s remarks, issued a statement through its UN envoy rejecting U.S. interference and accusing Washington of attempting to destabilize the country under the guise of democracy.

What’s Next:

Analysts believe the Trump administration may soon propose new sanctions or coordinate with Latin American allies to diplomatically isolate Maduro. U.S. intelligence agencies are also reportedly monitoring military and political developments within Venezuela closely.

With tensions rising and the humanitarian crisis worsening, Venezuela remains a geopolitical flashpoint in the Western Hemisphere.

In a televised address Tuesday night, Maduro framed the militia deployment as a defense of national sovereignty and a response to “imperialist aggression.”

“We will not kneel. Venezuela will defend its peace, its independence, and its dignity,” Maduro said, vowing resistance to U.S. pressure.

However, independent estimates suggest the actual number of trained and active militia members is significantly lower than the government’s claim.

U.S. Allegations and Caribbean Standoff

The United States has intensified its pursuit of Maduro, alleging that his administration collaborated with international drug cartels to smuggle cocaine laced with fentanyl into U.S. territory. According to U.S. federal authorities, nearly 30 tons of narcotics tied to Maduro linked networks have been seized in recent months.

In response, the U.S. State Department raised the bounty for Maduro’s capture, labeling him a “narco dictator” responsible for the deliberate poisoning of American communities.

Caracas has rejected the accusations, with Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil calling the reward increase “a pathetic political stunt” designed to interfere in Venezuela’s internal affairs ahead of its 2025 general elections.

Tensions escalated further after the deployment of Venezuelan forces to the Caribbean coast, coinciding with the arrival of U.S. Navy destroyers in the region. The military presence on both sides has raised fears of a potential standoff, though neither government has signaled imminent conflict.

Background:

Maduro has been under U.S. sanctions and criminal indictments since 2020, when federal prosecutors accused him and senior officials of operating a “narco terrorism” scheme. Despite international pressure and a collapsing economy, he has maintained power, backed by loyalist institutions and regional allies.

In a dramatic escalation of its anti-narcotics campaign, the United States government has announced a $50 million reward for information leading to the arrest or conviction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, accusing him of overseeing a sprawling drug trafficking empire in partnership with violent criminal groups.

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi made the announcement on Wednesday, naming several criminal organizations including Tren de Aragua, Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel, and Venezuela’s own Cartel of the Suns as key collaborators in what she called a “state-sponsored drug operation.”

“This is not just about corruption or failed leadership this is about a head of state operating as a drug kingpin,” Bondi said at a press conference. “We are going to pursue justice at the highest levels.”

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) confirmed that 30 tons of cocaine linked to Maduro’s network have been seized to date. Of that, 7 tons have been directly tied to shipments authorized by figures within Maduro’s inner circle, according to DEA intelligence.

Officials described the trafficking network as a primary source of revenue for both Venezuelan military factions and Mexican cartels, enabling widespread violence, corruption, and the expansion of transnational criminal operations.

An International Accusation

This is not the first time Maduro has been accused of narcotics trafficking by U.S. authorities. In 2020, federal prosecutors charged him and other high-ranking Venezuelan officials with narco-terrorism, but diplomatic and logistical hurdles have prevented any arrest.

Venezuela’s government has rejected all allegations, labeling the charges as politically motivated and part of a broader U.S. campaign to destabilize the country. Caracas has not issued an official response to the latest bounty announcement.

Geopolitical Implications

The reward and renewed crackdown come amid ongoing tensions between Washington and Caracas, as well as a wider regional focus on narco-trafficking routes through Latin America. Human rights organizations have also warned of worsening conditions inside Venezuela, where millions have fled in recent years due to economic collapse and political repression.

Noboa, who is set to compete against left-wing candidate Luisa Gonzalez in the upcoming April 13 run-off election, conveyed on social media that Ecuador is committed to welcoming its citizens who have been deported from abroad, emphasizing, “We do not abandon our people.”

The president also expressed disappointment with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro for his handling of flights carrying deported Venezuelans, describing the situation as a lack of empathy.

In a recent statement, Maduro noted that scheduled flights to bring Venezuelan migrants back from the U.S. had been impacted by “unexplained, significant disruptions” following the cancellation of a Chevron operating license in Venezuela. While Maduro did not directly link the company to the migrant flights, he highlighted the communication challenges between the two countries that contributed to the delays.

Noboa, in his response, highlighted concerns about the actions of authoritarian regimes, emphasizing the need for greater attention to the well-being of those affected by crises.

Venezuela’s government has long opposed U.S. sanctions, describing them as illegitimate and part of an “economic war” aimed at undermining the country’s stability. Despite the challenges, Maduro and his supporters have emphasized Venezuela’s resilience in the face of these external pressures, attributing certain economic difficulties to the sanctions.