CIA Orchestrates Strike on Venezuelan Dock Linked to Drug Smuggling: AP Sources

Recent reports indicate that the CIA conducted a drone strike on a Venezuelan dock associated with drug smuggling, marking a notable escalation in U.S. actions against the Maduro government. This operation represents the first direct strike on Venezuelan soil during a sustained campaign by the United States.

CIA Drone Strike on Venezuelan Drug Dock

The strike took place last week at a docking facility suspected of serving Venezuelan drug cartels. The operation has not been acknowledged by Venezuela’s government, but President Donald Trump referenced it during an interview on WABC radio in New York. He described it as targeting a significant facility where ships load drugs.

Escalation in U.S. Pressure on Venezuela

This CIA operation follows a series of U.S. military actions in the Caribbean, which commenced in August. Authorities have reported at least 30 strikes on drug boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. Trump’s administration has increasingly focused on disrupting drug trafficking from Venezuela and has imposed a quasi-blockade on sanctioned oil tankers.

• Operation conducted by the CIA on Venezuelan soil.
• Targeting a dock known for drug loading activities.
• Part of escalating U.S. pressure on Nicolás Maduro’s government.

Although Col. Allie Weiskopf, a spokesperson for Special Operations Command, stated that their unit did not support the operation, Trump has publicly acknowledged authorizing the CIA to carry out covert actions in Venezuela. This marks a shift in strategy, with the aim to achieve U.S. security objectives while potentially reducing scrutiny from Congress.

Reasons Behind the Operation

Trump has cited two primary reasons for the CIA’s involvement: the influx of Venezuelan inmates entering the U.S. and the flow of drugs from Venezuela. His administration has accused Maduro and his associates of narcoterrorism, with many under indictment in the U.S. since 2020.

The U.S. Justice Department has greatly increased the reward for information leading to Maduro’s arrest to $50 million this year. Despite these escalating tensions, Maduro did not address the strike in a recent speech at an international leadership forum.

As the situation continues to develop, the implications of this CIA operation on U.S.-Venezuela relations remain significant.