Trump says he has authorized CIA to conduct covert operations in Venezuela

U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday he has authorized the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to conduct covert operations in Venezuela, a move that was decried by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

Trump added that his administration is considering strikes against Venezuela on land. According to The New York Times, the new authorization allows the CIA to conduct lethal missions in Venezuela and the Caribbean, as well as to coordinate with broader U.S. military operations in the region.