Tensions flared at the White House after a reporter asked U.S. President Donald Trump if the CIA had the authority to “take out” Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
Visibly irritated, Trump fired back, saying:
“I don’t want to answer a question like that. That is a ridiculous question to be given. Not really a ridiculous question, but wouldn’t it be a ridiculous question for me to answer?”
The exchange came shortly after a New York Times report claimed that the Trump administration had secretly authorized the CIA to conduct covert operations in Venezuela. According to the report, the directive gives the agency permission to launch lethal missions and intelligence operations across Venezuela and the Caribbean either independently or as part of a broader U.S. military effort. It remains unclear whether any of these missions have actually begun.
U.S. Strike in Caribbean Raises Questions
Just hours later, Trump confirmed that the United States carried out another deadly strike in Caribbean waters near Venezuela.
A small boat accused of trafficking narcotics was destroyed by U.S. forces, killing six people onboard. No U.S. personnel were harmed.
“This was a narcoterrorist vessel,” Trump said in a social media post, sharing a black-and-white video that showed the boat being struck by a projectile before bursting into flames.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the operation earlier that morning, the president added.
According to the Pentagon, the strike was conducted in international waters, and U.S. intelligence confirmed that the target was tied to drug-smuggling networks operating between Venezuela and the Caribbean.
Criticism from Diplomats and Lawmakers
While the Trump administration insists these operations are part of its “war on narcoterrorism,” critics warn that such actions could backfire.
James Story, the former U.S. ambassador for Venezuela Affairs, said these repeated strikes might actually weaken America’s regional partnerships.
“If allies like Colombia think their shared intelligence could lead to what some call extrajudicial killings, it puts us in a very difficult position,” Story told the Associated Press. “It risks violating international law and undermines our credibility in the hemisphere.”
Meanwhile, frustration is growing in Congress. Some Republicans are demanding more details from the White House about the legal basis for these strikes, while Democrats argue they violate both U.S. and international law.
A Senate war powers resolution seeking to restrict the administration from conducting such operations without congressional approval failed to pass last week, leaving Trump free to continue authorizing similar missions.
Potential Long-Term Impact
Experts warn that this new strategy could strain U.S. relations in Latin America, especially with partners like Colombia, Brazil, and the Dominican Republic, which rely on U.S. cooperation for security and intelligence sharing.
If regional governments start viewing these operations as unilateral or unlawful, it may damage trust and reduce information flow, ultimately hindering anti-narcotics efforts.
The situation also raises broader questions about executive authority, covert warfare, and accountability issues that are likely to dominate Washington debates in the months ahead.
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