Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas on Sept. 15. Trump has repeatedly accused Venezuela of being a fentanyl-trafficking hub, despite U.S. records showing Mexico is the main source of the drug.

U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed on Wednesday that he authorized the CIA to conduct covert operations in Venezuela , marking a sharp escalation in U.S. efforts to pressure President Nicolas Maduro’s government.

The New York Times first reported the classified directive, citing U.S. officials familiar with the decision, saying the Trump administration’s Venezuela strategy aims to remove Maduro from power. The administration has offered US$50-million for information leading to Maduro’s arrest and conviction on drug trafficking charges.

Trump said he authorized the action because

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