Washington- US President Donald Trump confirmed on Wednesday that he has authorised the CIA to conduct covert operations inside Venezuela and said he was weighing carrying out land operations on the country.

The acknowledgement of covert action in Venezuela by the US spy agency comes after the US military in recent weeks carried out a series of deadly strikes against alleged drug-smuggling boats in the Caribbean. US forces have destroyed at least five boats since early September, killing 27 people, and four of those vessels originated from Venezuela.

Asked during an event in the Oval Office on Wednesday why he had authorised the CIA to take action in Venezuela, Trump affirmed he had made the move.

“I authorised for two reasons, really,” Trump replied. “No. 1, they have emptied their pr

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