The Donald Trump administration quietly authorised the CIA to carry out covert operations in Venezuela, escalating efforts to pressure President Nicolás Maduro, The New York Times reported on the authority of US officials. The move reflects a deepening US campaign aimed at unseating Maduro, who is criticised by Americans as an authoritarian leader.

In recent weeks, US military operations have targeted boats off Venezuela’s coast, which officials claimed were involved in drug trafficking. These operations have resulted in the deaths of at least 27 people. Privately, senior US officials have said their broader goal is regime change in Caracas.

President Trump publicly acknowledged the covert authorisation shortly after NYT reported on it. “We are certainly looking at land now, because we’v

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