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US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that he authorized the CIA to conduct covert operations in Venezuela.
The remarks represented a new escalation in the political conflict between the US and Venezuela, as the US has continued to strike boats on international waters, which have originated from the South American nation.
Trump accused the government of Venezuela of trafficking drugs to the US by sea.
“We are looking at land now, because we’ve got the sea very well under control,” Trump said, in reference to the strikes on vessels in Caribbean waters. “I think Venezuela is feeling heat.”
Trump was asked by reporters if he had given the CIA authority to “take out” Maduro, but he rejected the notion.
“That’s a ridiculous question for me to be given. Not really a ridiculous question, but wouldn’t it be a ridiculous question for me to answer?” the US president replied.
The Trump administration has already set $50 million (€43 million) for information leading to Maduro’s arrest and conviction on drug trafficking charges.
Venezuela accuses US of plotting regime change
Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro was quick to hit back, denouncing Trump in an address.
“No to war in the Caribbean…No to regime change…No to coups d’etat orchestrated by the CIA,” the leftist leader said.
The Venezuelan government accused the US of attempting regime change with the ultimate goal of stealing Venezuela’s vast oil reserves.
It said it would raise a complaint before the UN Security Council on Thursday.
Edited by: Zac Crellin
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