President Donald Trump on Wednesday confirmed media reports that he has authorized the CIA to conduct covert operations in Venezuela. Reuters notes that this means a rapid escalation of US actions aimed at putting pressure on the regime of President Nicolas Maduro.
Earlier, the case was reported by the American newspaper “New York Times”, which wrote that the Trump government's strategy towards Venezuela is aimed at removing Maduro from power and the American administration offered $50 million for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Maduro for drug trafficking.
Trump on Wednesday said he authorized the actions because large amounts of drugs were entering the U.S. from Venezuela, largely smuggled by sea.
In recent weeks, according to “NYT”, the United States armed forces have intensified attacks on ships near the Venezuelan coast under the guise of combating drug smuggling. The result was the death of 27 crew members of these units.
Currently, as “NYT” writes, about 10,000 United States soldiers are stationed in bases located in the Caribbean region, mainly Puerto Rico, and on board US warships in this region.
