It sounds like a plot from a 90s Tom Clancy novel, but it’s actually the current reality of U.S. foreign policy.
In late 2025, the world watched as the geopolitical temperature in the Caribbean hit a boiling point. By October 15, 2025, the ambiguity was gone. Trump confirmed authorizing CIA operations in Venezuela to combat drugs, a move that essentially lit the fuse for the massive military intervention we saw earlier this month.
He didn't just hint at it. He said it out loud.
"I've authorized the CIA to conduct covert operations inside Venezuela," he told reporters back then, effectively turning "covert" into "overt."
The "Armed Conflict" Memo That Changed Everything
Before the CIA drones started buzzing over Venezuelan docks, there was a paper trail. In early October 2025, an administration memo surfaced that made a bold legal claim: the United States was now in a "non-international armed conflict" with drug cartels.
Basically, the administration decided to stop treating drug trafficking as a police matter and started treating it as a war. This wasn't just about the Cartel de los Soles anymore. It was about Tren de Aragua, the Venezuelan gang that has become a household name in U.S. domestic politics. By labeling these groups as "foreign terrorist organizations," the White House bypassed traditional law enforcement red tape.
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The goal? Hit them where they live. Literally.
Why Trump Confirmed Authorizing CIA Operations in Venezuela to Combat Drugs
You've probably wondered why a president would announce "covert" operations on national TV. Usually, the CIA prefers to stay in the shadows. But this was about "Maximum Pressure" 2.0.
- Intelligence Gathering: Before you can send in Delta Force—which happened on January 3, 2026—you need eyes on the ground. The CIA was tasked with mapping out the exact locations of Maduro’s inner circle.
- Sabotage: In December 2025, a drone strike hit a docking facility in Venezuela. Reports later confirmed the CIA was behind it. They weren't just watching; they were breaking things.
- Psychological Warfare: By admitting the CIA was active, the administration was trying to make Maduro’s generals look over their shoulders. It was a "your own shadow is working for us" kind of vibe.
Honestly, the "war on drugs" was the primary justification, but everyone knew oil and regime change were the subtext. Trump was very vocal about the "billions of dollars" in stolen oil money he wanted to recoup. It’s a messy mix of anti-narcotics work and old-school power politics.
The Operation Absolute Resolve Connection
All those months of "covert" CIA groundwork led directly to Operation Absolute Resolve.
On January 3, 2026, the U.S. launched a massive strike on Caracas. It wasn't a skirmish; it was a full-scale "extraction mission." Special operations troops, supported by CIA intelligence, captured Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.
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They’re in New York now. Pleading not guilty to narco-terrorism charges.
While the administration calls it a success, the legal community is losing its mind. Most international law experts, including those at the UN, say this sets a "dangerous precedent." Since when does the U.S. arrest a sitting head of state on his own soil without a UN mandate?
What Most People Get Wrong About the CIA's Role
A lot of folks think the CIA just does "spying." In this case, they were the vanguard.
They weren't just looking for cocaine shipments. They were providing the targeting data for the 35+ strikes on boats in the Caribbean between September and December 2025. These strikes killed at least 115 people. The CIA’s involvement meant these targets were being identified with high-level surveillance that the Navy alone might not have had.
It's also worth noting that the CIA's authority was specifically expanded. When asked if the agency had the "authority to execute" Maduro back in October, Trump didn't say no. He just said, "I think Venezuela is feeling heat."
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Is This Actually Stopping Drugs?
That’s the million-dollar question.
The administration claims they’ve crippled the supply lines. They talk about "bags of cocaine and fentanyl" scattered across the ocean after strikes. But the DEA and other intelligence agencies have sometimes disputed the scale of the Maduro-cartel connection.
Critics say the "drug war" was just a convenient legal "hook" to justify removing a geopolitical rival. Regardless of the motive, the reality on the ground is that the U.S. is now effectively "running" the country—or trying to—until a transition happens.
Actionable Insights: What This Means for You
If you’re trying to make sense of this for your business, travel, or just general knowledge, here is the bottom line:
- Regional Instability: If you have business interests in the Caribbean or South America, expect shipping lanes to remain heavily militarized. The naval blockade isn't going away anytime soon.
- Oil Market Volatility: Trump’s plan to have U.S. oil companies "fix" Venezuela's infrastructure will take years. Don't expect a sudden drop in gas prices because of "Venezuelan oil" next week.
- Legal Precedents: This marks a shift in how the U.S. uses the "terrorist" label. If a criminal group can be treated like Al-Qaeda, the rules for military intervention have changed forever.
Keep an eye on the court proceedings in New York. The evidence the DOJ brings forward—much of it likely gathered by those "covert" CIA operations—will either justify this entire campaign or turn it into a historic legal nightmare.
Next Steps to Stay Informed:
- Monitor the DOJ Indictments: Look for unsealed documents regarding the Cartel de los Soles and Tren de Aragua to see the specific evidence of drug trafficking.
- Watch the Oil Blockade: Track the movements of U.S. Navy vessels near Venezuelan ports to see if the "oil quarantine" mentioned by Marco Rubio is being strictly enforced.
- Check Travel Advisories: Venezuela remains a Level 4 "Do Not Travel" zone, and the surrounding maritime areas are currently active conflict zones.