In a development that sent shockwaves across international political circles, former U.S. President Donald Trump openly acknowledged authorising covert CIA operations in Venezuela — a revelation that has reignited tensions with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Speaking to reporters, Trump hinted at his administration’s involvement in secret actions targeting Maduro’s government, which he repeatedly labeled a “narco-terrorist regime.”
Trump stopped short of confirming the full extent of the CIA’s activities, though he admitted that authorization had been given “for two reasons.” Without elaborating, he accused Maduro of sending criminals to the United States and operating a drug trafficking network. When pressed on whether the CIA had been instructed to “take out” Maduro, Trump dodged the question, calling it “ridiculous to answer.”
The admission follows multiple U.S. naval strikes in the Caribbean, which Washington claims targeted Venezuelan drug boats. Trump stated that his administration was “considering land operations” against alleged cartels, saying, “We’ve got the sea under control — now we’re looking at land.” At least 27 people have reportedly been killed in these operations, raising serious questions about their legality under international law.
Maduro responded with sharp condemnation, accusing the United States of orchestrating coups through the CIA and mobilising Venezuela’s military for nationwide exercises. “No to war in the Caribbean. No to regime change. No to coups d’état orchestrated by the CIA,” he declared in a televised speech. The Venezuelan leader called on citizens, militias, and armed forces to defend “our mountains, coasts, schools, hospitals, and markets.”
Amid these escalating tensions, the U.S. Justice Department has doubled its bounty on Maduro to US$50 million, intensifying international scrutiny. Despite Trump’s public insistence that he did not seek regime change, his statements — combined with growing military actions and intelligence operations — tell a different story.
In a symbolic twist, opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, long supported by Washington, recently won the Nobel Peace Prize for her peaceful resistance against Maduro’s 12-year rule. She dedicated her award to Trump — the same man who once campaigned for the honor himself.
At its core, this unfolding drama is not just about power — it’s about people, sovereignty, and the blurred lines between protection and provocation. The world watches, divided yet deeply affected, as two nations wrestle with the future of democracy, diplomacy, and dignity.
