President Donald Trump confirmed on Wednesday that he has authorized the CIA to operate inside Venezuela to combat drug trafficking and illegal migration. While Trump emphasized the aim is to target cartels, he stopped short of saying the agency has authority to remove Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

Trump tied the decision to his ongoing efforts to reduce drug smuggling from Venezuela, noting that shipments often come by sea and land routes. He suggested Venezuela and other countries are “feeling heat” from U.S. actions.

Venezuelan Reaction

Maduro and Venezuela’s Foreign Minister Yvan Gil condemned Trump’s statements, labeling the U.S. actions as a policy of aggression and a violation of international law. Maduro, speaking on state television, called for peace while rejecting U.S. claims linking Venezuelans to criminal organizations like Tren de Aragua.

Recent U.S. Military Actions

Trump’s remarks followed reports of multiple U.S. military strikes on boats allegedly trafficking drugs off the Venezuelan coast, including at least five attacks in recent months. One strike reportedly killed six people. While the U.S. administration cites a classified legal justification for these strikes, it has not publicly provided evidence confirming the vessels were involved in drug trafficking.

Legal and Political Debate

Some Democrats, including Senator Peter Welch, questioned the legality of Trump’s actions, suggesting the president may be acting beyond his constitutional authority without sufficient congressional oversight. Republican reactions were mixed: some criticized the approach, while others, like Senator Jim Risch, praised the decision as appropriate.

Venezuelan Opposition Support

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, a recent Nobel Peace Prize recipient, called for more U.S. support to counter Maduro’s regime, describing it as a “criminal narco-terrorism structure.”

Broader Context

The strikes and CIA authorization are part of an escalating U.S. campaign in the Caribbean targeting drug trafficking, which has included operations affecting Colombian nationals. Analysts suggest the campaign indicates a broader regional strategy by the Trump administration to curb narcotics flows and exert pressure on Maduro’s government.