President Donald Trump has confirmed reports he authorized the CIA to conduct covert operations inside Venezuela - and said he was considering strikes targeting drug cartels there.
US forces have already conducted at least five strikes on suspected drug-carrying boats in the Caribbean in recent weeks, killing 27 people. UN-appointed human rights experts have described the raids as 'extrajudicial executions'.
Speaking in the Oval Office, Trump said the US 'is looking at land' as it considers further strikes in the region.
Trump has sought to increase pressure on President Nicolas Maduro, who the US and others do not recognize as Venezuela's rightful leader following disputed elections.
The increased US military presence in the region has raised fears in Caracas of a possible attack.
According to the New York Times, Trump's authorization would allow the CIA to carry out operations in Venezuela unilaterally or as part of any wider US military activity. It remains unknown whether the CIA is planning operations in Venezuela, or whether those plans are being kept as contingencies.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office alongside FBI Director Kash Patel and Attorney General Pam Bondi, Trump was questioned about the New York Times report.
'I authorized for two reasons really,' Trump explained. 'Number one, they [Venezuela] have emptied their prisons into the United States of America.' He added: 'And the other thing are drugs. We have a lot of drugs coming in from Venezuela.'
While Maduro's government has not commented on the CIA authorization directly, Vice-President Delcy Rodriguez struck a defiant tone, warning of the people's readiness to defend themselves against potential aggressions.
In a recent strike, six individuals were killed near Venezuela's coast, part of a larger effort to pressure Maduro's government. US officials have alleged that Maduro himself is part of an organization involved in drug trafficking, claims which Maduro has categorically denied.
