President Donald Trump has reportedly authorized the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to conduct covert actions against Venezuela, escalating the U.S. government’s pressure campaign against the country’s socialist government. The move comes as part of the broader strategy to challenge the leadership of President Nicolás Maduro, whose administration has been accused of authoritarian practices and economic mismanagement.
The White House is considering a range of potential operations, including sabotage, cyberattacks, psychological operations, or information warfare, all aimed at destabilizing Maduro’s regime. However, the administration has also initiated secret diplomatic channels with Maduro’s government, suggesting a dual approach that combines both punitive measures and covert negotiations.
This strategy reflects the Trump administration’s broader foreign policy of using intelligence agencies to exert pressure on adversarial governments. While the specifics of the operations remain classified, analysts suggest that the goal is to weaken Maduro’s political position and potentially pave the way for a power shift in Venezuela.