Washington, Oct 16 (NationPress) US President Donald Trump has declared that he has granted permission to the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to engage in covert operations in Venezuela, a decision that has been heavily criticized by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

During a press briefing at the White House on Wednesday (local time), Trump accused the Caracas government of releasing inmates and individuals from mental health facilities to enter the United States unlawfully, as well as trafficking significant amounts of illegal drugs.

Trump stated, "They have emptied their prisons into the United States of America" and have "permitted thousands and thousands of prisoners" and "individuals from mental institutions, insane asylums" to cross the border, though he did not provide any evidence to support these claims.

When questioned about whether he had authorized the CIA to assassinate Maduro, Trump declined to respond, merely stating, "I think Venezuela is feeling heat."

Furthermore, Trump indicated that his administration is contemplating land-based strikes against Venezuela, asserting, "We are certainly looking at land now because we've got the sea very well under control," he remarked.

Shortly after Trump’s statements, Maduro condemned what he referred to as "coups d'état orchestrated by the CIA," according to various media sources.

The New York Times (NYT) reported that the new authorization permits the CIA to undertake lethal operations in Venezuela and the Caribbean while coordinating with broader US military activities in the area.

Officials within the Trump administration have allegedly made it clear in private discussions that the ultimate objective is to oust Maduro from power, as reported by the NYT, which further noted that around 10,000 US troops, eight warships, and one submarine are currently stationed in the Caribbean, primarily in Puerto Rico, according to Xinhua news agency.

Since September, the White House has reported five US strikes that have destroyed five alleged drug-trafficking vessels in international waters near Venezuela, resulting in the deaths of 27 individuals aboard.

Earlier this month, the White House notified Congress that the US is involved in a "non-international armed conflict" with drug cartels that are classified as terrorist organizations, although they were not specifically identified.

While some cocaine is trafficked through Venezuela from South America, the country is not considered a primary source for drugs entering the US, according to a 2020 report by the US Drug Enforcement Administration. Maduro has continuously condemned the actions of Washington as attempts at regime change and military encroachment in Latin America.

Historically, the CIA has been infamously linked to numerous coups and covert operations throughout Latin America.