November 18th, 2025 - Trump Reportedly Approves C.I.A. Covert Operations in Venezuela

As tensions continue to rise, President Trump has approved additional measures to pressure Venezuela, including covert C.I.A. operations and back-channel negotiations with President Nicolás Maduro. With the largest U.S. aircraft carrier now stationed in the Caribbean, Trump’s administration is preparing for the possibility of a broader military campaign, though no ground forces have yet been authorized in Venezuela. The new approach reflects an intensifying effort to tackle the country's ongoing issues with drugs and corruption, which have increasingly become a focal point of U.S. foreign policy.

The covert actions approved by Trump may involve sabotage, cyberattacks, or information operations aimed at destabilizing the Venezuelan government. These measures could serve as a prelude to more direct military action, although the White House has not yet committed to full-scale combat. The administration’s focus on escalating pressure comes amid a growing realization that diplomatic solutions, including possible talks with Maduro, are still on the table. Despite this, the U.S. has rejected proposals for a delayed transition of power from Maduro, which Venezuelan officials have suggested.

In addition to the covert operations, a massive buildup of U.S. naval forces, dubbed “Operation Southern Spear,” has been initiated in the Caribbean. This represents the largest military presence in the region since the Cuban Missile Crisis, with the U.S. deploying the Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier, 15,000 troops, and additional Marines to the area. This military buildup is part of a broader pressure campaign that includes economic and political tactics, such as the designation of Venezuela's Cartel de los Soles as a terrorist organization by the State Department.

Despite the aggressive stance, Trump’s public comments have revealed a level of uncertainty regarding the ultimate goal. While the administration has stepped up its efforts, including launching strikes on drug-smuggling boats, there are still questions about how far the U.S. is willing to go in its pursuit of regime change. Trump has left open the possibility of direct negotiations with Maduro, but his administration’s actions suggest that military options remain a significant part of the strategy.

The U.S. has been conducting operations to target drug smuggling in the region, with 21 strikes on boats alleged to be carrying illicit substances. These strikes have resulted in at least 83 deaths, and while the administration has justified the operations with intelligence reports, some legal experts and members of Congress have criticized them for potentially targeting civilians without clear evidence of criminal activity.

As the situation develops, military and C.I.A. planners have been preparing multiple contingency options for dealing with Venezuela. The U.S. is focused not only on addressing drug-related issues but also on gaining access to Venezuela’s vast oil reserves. With escalating tensions and growing uncertainty about how the situation will unfold, the Trump administration continues to explore all avenues to influence the political and economic future of Venezuela.

Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster) - Eccentric (adj, ik-SEN-trik) - Eccentric usually describes people and things that deviate from conventional or accepted usage or behavior, especially in odd or whimsical ways. It is also used technically to mean "deviating from a circular path" and "located elsewhere than at the geometric center."

Example: He's an endearingly eccentric scientist whose methods are quite inventive.

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