Posted: Thursday, October 16, 2025. 8:20 am CST.
By Zoila Palma: On Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed that he had authorized the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to operate inside Venezuela, citing efforts to curb illegal drug and migrant flows from the South American nation.
President Trump said his administration was expanding efforts to stop narcotics trafficking from the region, CNN reports.
Venezuelan officials swiftly condemned Trump’s remarks, calling them a “violation of international law” and a “policy of aggression.” Foreign Minister Yvan Gil said the use of the CIA and U.S. military deployments in the Caribbean reflected Washington’s “warmongering and harassment” against Venezuela.
President Maduro, speaking on national television, denounced Trump’s “xenophobic and discriminatory” comments and urged Americans to “choose peace, not war.”
The comments came a day after the U.S. launched its fifth strike on a boat allegedly carrying drugs off Venezuela’s coast, killing six people — a move that has heightened tensions and prompted Maduro to consider declaring a state of emergency.
The decision to expand CIA operations and authorize lethal strikes has sparked debate in Washington.
Some lawmakers, including Democratic Sen. Peter Welch, questioned the legality and lack of congressional oversight, saying the president was acting unilaterally.
Others, such as Republican Sen. Jim Risch, defended Trump’s actions as necessary to protect U.S. interests.
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The post International News: Trump confirms CIA operations authorized in Venezuela to target drug and migrant flows appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Posted: Thursday, October 16, 2025. 8:20 am CST. By Zoila Palma: On Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed that he had authorized the Central Intelligence Agency
The post International News: Trump confirms CIA operations authorized in Venezuela to target drug and migrant flows appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
