Trump owns CIA action inside Venezuela against smugglers

President Donald Trump on Wednesday confirmed that he had approved covert Central Intelligence Agency operations inside the South American country. The United States has in recent months launched airstrikes on boats in the Caribbean that were allegedly carrying drugs. Trump said his administration was also considering land strikes in Venezuela to target drug traffickers. Trump said the goal of the operations was to address the flow of migrants and drugs into the United States. But he stopped short of suggesting American forces would seek to overthrow Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. United Nations officials have claimed the boat strikes run afoul of international laws.

How have Venezuelan officials responded? In a televised address, Maduro called for peace and warned against escalation that could result in war. The socialist leader urged the CIA not to engage in or attempt a coup to overthrow him. Venezuela’s Foreign Minister Yvan Gil said the operations were undermining peace and stability in the country and violating international law.

Dig deeper: Listen to Carolina Lumetta’s report about Congress asking questions about the U.S. operations in Venezuela.