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Covert operations

US Authorizes CIA to Conduct Covert Operations in Venezuela

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The US has authorized the CIA to conduct covert operations inside Venezuela, with President Donald Trump confirming the move on Wednesday. The decision comes after a series of deadly strikes against alleged drug-smuggling boats in the Caribbean, with at least 27 people killed and four vessels originating from Venezuela. Trump cited the influx of Venezuelan prisoners into the US and the flow of drugs from Venezuela as reasons for the authorization. The CIA's operation in Venezuela is the latest escalation in the conflict between the US and the country's President, Nicolas Maduro.

Key Takeaways:

  • The US has authorized the CIA to conduct covert operations in Venezuela, with President Trump confirming the move on Wednesday.
  • The decision comes after a series of deadly strikes against alleged drug-smuggling boats in the Caribbean, with at least 27 people killed and four vessels originating from Venezuela.
  • Trump cited the influx of Venezuelan prisoners into the US and the flow of drugs from Venezuela as reasons for the authorization.
  • The CIA's operation in Venezuela has sparked concerns from Congress, with lawmakers criticizing the lack of transparency and oversight.
  • The US Coast Guard has continued to stop boats and seize drugs, despite the military strikes.
  • Human rights groups have raised concerns that the strikes flout international law and are extrajudicial killings.
  • Venezuela's Foreign Ministry has rejected the US' bellicose statements, calling them a serious violation of international law and the UN Charter.
  • Maduro has accused the US of promoting regime change and has rejected the idea of CIA operations in Venezuela.

Statistics:

  • At least 27 people have been killed in the series of deadly strikes against alleged drug-smuggling boats in the Caribbean.
  • Four vessels originating from Venezuela have been destroyed in the strikes.
  • The US has destroyed at least five boats since early September.
  • 30,000 people are estimated to have been disappeared during the military dictatorship in Argentina under the military dictatorship in 1976-1983.
  • The strikes have sparked concerns from Congress, with lawmakers criticizing the lack of transparency and oversight.

Sources:

  • "US authorizes CIA to conduct covert operations in Venezuela" by HT Digital Content Services
  • "Trump Authorizes CIA to Conduct Covert Operation in Venezuela" by The New York Times
  • "Maduro rejects US' bellicose statements, calls them a serious violation of international law and the UN Charter" by Venezuela's Foreign Ministry (Telegram channel)
  • "US carried out 5 strikes against alleged drug-smuggling boats in the Caribbean since early September" by anonymous US officials
  • "Coast Guard continues to stop boats and seize drugs" by the US Coast Guard
  • "Human rights groups raise concerns that the strikes flout international law and are extrajudicial killings" by human rights organizations.

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