President Donald Trump has reportedly authorized covert CIA operations inside Venezuela, signaling a sharp escalation in U.S. policy toward the troubled South American nation.
This bombshell revelation, detailed by Fox News, comes alongside the deployment of the USS Gerald Ford, America’s largest aircraft carrier, to the Caribbean. Sources suggest these moves could be the prelude to a broader military push.
The timing couldn’t be more pointed, as tensions with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro boil over. Trump’s administration appears fed up with stalled back-channel talks, rejecting Maduro’s offer to step down after a delay of “a couple years.”
From Diplomacy to Direct Action
Negotiations with Maduro’s regime have hit a brick wall, according to unnamed sources briefed on the matter. The Venezuelan leader’s reluctance to exit promptly has only hardened Washington’s stance.
Trump didn’t mince words Monday, stating, “No, I don’t rule out that, I don’t rule out anything,” when pressed on the possibility of deploying U.S. troops. Such openness to military options shows a willingness to bypass endless diplomatic charades for decisive action.
Adding fuel to the fire, Maduro accused Trump of “fabricating a new eternal war” after the USS Gerald Ford was ordered to U.S. Southern Command. One has to wonder if his outrage is less about principle and more about self-preservation.
Strikes and Designations Ramp Up Pressure
Since September, the U.S. has conducted at least 21 fatal strikes on boats suspected of trafficking narcotics in waters off Central and South America, with the latest occurring Sunday. These operations target a web of criminal activity allegedly linked to Maduro’s inner circle.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio upped the ante by designating the Cartel de los Soles, a network tied to Maduro and his allies, as a foreign terrorist organization. This label isn’t just symbolic; it reframes the conflict as a battle against transnational terror, not merely crime.
The administration justifies these strikes as part of an “armed conflict” with drug cartels that have morphed into terror groups. It’s a bold redefinition, but one that aligns with a no-nonsense approach to threats festering south of our border.
Trump’s Personal Resolve on Display
Trump’s rhetoric has been unyielding, branding Maduro a “terrorist” less than a day before news of the CIA operations broke. He doubled down by saying, “We just have to take care of Venezuela,” pointing to the flood of individuals released from Venezuelan prisons into the U.S.
He also praised Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, noting, “She’s done an incredible job with Tom Homan and all of your people.” It’s clear he sees this as not just a foreign policy issue, but a domestic security crisis.
Even so, Trump left the door open to dialogue, admitting, “Yeah, I probably would talk to him. Yeah, I talked to everybody.” This mix of toughness and pragmatism suggests he’s playing every card available, from pressure to parley.
America First Meets Regional Reckoning
The stakes in Venezuela aren’t abstract; they tie directly to American safety and stability, as Trump’s comments on prison releases underscore. When a nation’s chaos spills over borders, ignoring it isn’t an option, no matter how much some might prefer isolation.
This isn’t about nation-building or ideological crusades, but about confronting a regime that’s become a clearinghouse for crime and terror. If covert operations and naval deployments force Maduro’s hand, they may be the bitter medicine needed to end a long-standing sore.
As the USS Gerald Ford patrols the Caribbean and CIA plans take shape, the message to Caracas is unmistakable: the days of endless stalling are over. America’s patience has limits, and under Trump’s watch, those limits are being tested with a resolve that prioritizes results over rhetoric.
