WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump on Wednesday (local time) appeared to confirm that he authorised the CIA to conduct operations inside Venezuela, marking a significant step in his administration’s efforts to target authoritarian leader Nicolas Maduro.

During a briefing in the Oval Office, Trump was asked why he allowed the CIA to strike inside Venezuela. He appeared to confirm the authorisation and indicated plans to extend operations to “land”. “I authorized for two reasons really, number one they have emptied their prisons into the United States of America, they came in through the border,” he said, highlighting concerns over illegal immigration.

He also pointed to drug trafficking, stating, “A lot of drugs coming in from Venezuela, and a lot of drugs come in through the sea, but

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