NextFin news, On November 19, 2025, the White House confirmed that U.S. President Donald Trump has authorized the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to develop plans for covert operations within Venezuela. This directive is part of a broader strategy to increase pressure against the government of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. According to multiple sources briefed on the matter and reported by Anadolu Ajansı, İlke Haber Ajansı, and the New York Times, the covert actions envisaged by the CIA could serve to prepare the operational groundwork for potential subsequent measures.
Alongside the authorization of clandestine initiatives, the Trump administration has simultaneously reopened back-channel communications with Venezuelan officials. Notably, during these informal negotiations, Maduro reportedly indicated a willingness to step down after a transitional delay of several years, a proposal ultimately rejected by Washington. In a televised address on November 18, Maduro warned that any U.S. military intervention would constitute the "political end" of Trump's leadership, accusing figures close to the U.S. president of provoking conflict for political gain, while reaffirming his government's openness to direct diplomacy.
Militarily, the United States has escalated its presence in the Caribbean by deploying the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford along with approximately 15,000 troops, the largest such buildup since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis. Since September 2025, U.S. forces have carried out 21 strikes on vessels alleged to be involved in drug trafficking in the Caribbean Sea and Eastern Pacific Ocean, resulting in 83 deaths. Trump has indicated a willingness to target narcotics smuggling infrastructure within Venezuelan territory, although no authorization for U.S. ground troop deployment has yet been confirmed.
While details on the CIA’s planned covert operations remain classified, intelligence officials suggest these measures may include sabotage, cyber operations, psychological campaigns, and information warfare intended to undermine Maduro’s regime. These non-kinetic tactics are poised to precede or complement possible kinetic military actions focusing on drug trafficking networks and military installations loyal to Maduro. Concurrently, the administration is designating the Cartel de los Soles—a faction tied to the Venezuelan military—as a terrorist organization, thereby increasing legal and diplomatic pressure.
The dual-track approach—combining covert planning, military presence, and diplomatic engagement—reflects a multifaceted U.S. strategy aimed at curtailing Venezuela’s role in drug trafficking and regional instability while exploring pathways to regime change or negotiated transition. The administration’s uncertainty regarding the ultimate resolution and willingness to keep open all options, including direct negotiation or force, underscores the complexity of the situation.
From an analytical standpoint, the authorization of covert actions by the CIA underlines the Trump administration’s inclination towards unconventional, deniable means to influence geopolitical outcomes in Latin America. This approach is historically consistent with U.S. tactics in the region but carries significant risks of escalation and unintended consequences, including the potential for increased violence and regional destabilization.
Economically, Venezuela’s vast oil reserves remain a strategic factor, as informal talks have suggested potential U.S. corporate access to these resources post-transition. Control over these assets would have substantial implications for global oil markets and U.S. energy security, particularly as Venezuela’s production has been crippled by years of sanctions and mismanagement.
Geopolitically, this intensification of U.S. pressure intersects with broader regional dynamics involving other major powers such as Russia and China, both of which maintain stakes in Venezuela. Increased U.S. covert and military activities may provoke counteractions or complicate diplomatic calculus on the international stage.
Looking forward, the situation likely remains fluid. Continued covert operations could catalyze internal dissent or armed resistance within Venezuela, while military posturing and sanctions pressure aim to corner Maduro politically. However, the reopened negotiation channels suggest the Trump administration might remain open to a diplomatic resolution if it facilitates regime change favorable to U.S. interests.
Overall, President Trump's authorization of CIA covert plans in Venezuela signifies an escalation in U.S. efforts to influence Venezuelan politics with broad implications for regional security, international relations, and energy markets — a complex scenario warranting close monitoring in the months ahead.
According to Anadolu Ajansı, İlke Haber Ajansı, and the New York Times.
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