Washington: US President Donald Trump says he is considering striking land targets in Venezuela after blowing up a series of vessels in international waters, alleged to have been carrying drugs.

According to the New York Times, the CIA has also been authorised to carry out covert operations in Venezuela under a classified Trump directive, marking a sharp escalation in Washington’s efforts to pressure President Nicolás Maduro’s government.

Asked about the next steps in his “war” against Venezuelan drug cartels, Trump told reporters in Washington: “I don’t want to tell you exactly, but we are certainly looking at land now because we’ve got the sea very well under control. We’ve had a couple of days where there isn’t a boat to be found.

“A lot of the Venezuelan drugs come in through t

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