Trump Escalates Pressure on Venezuelan Drug Trade, Judge Pauses Shutdown Layoffs
In a significant escalation of pressure on Venezuela's alleged drug trade, President Trump authorized the CIA to conduct covert operations inside the country. This move comes as part of a broader campaign against the South American nation's illicit activities.
According to sources within the administration, Trump portrayed the operation as a necessary measure to disrupt the flow of narcotics into the United States. The U.S. military has already struck five boats that were allegedly carrying drugs, with the most recent incident occurring on Tuesday.
"We will not tolerate the trafficking of illicit substances into our country," said White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders in a statement. "The President's decision to authorize these operations is a clear demonstration of his commitment to keeping America safe and secure."
Background research suggests that Venezuela has become a key player in the global cocaine trade, with some estimates suggesting that up to 80% of all cocaine entering the United States passes through the country. The U.S. government has long accused Venezuelan President Nicolรกs Maduro's regime of turning a blind eye to these activities.
The CIA's involvement in covert operations is not new, but this move marks a significant escalation of pressure on Venezuela. Critics argue that the operation could have far-reaching consequences for regional stability and potentially even lead to military intervention.
"This is a very concerning development," said Dr. Mark Schneider, a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. "The U.S. needs to be careful not to overstep its bounds and create more problems than it solves."
Meanwhile, in a separate development, a federal judge has paused shutdown layoffs of hundreds of thousands of government employees. The move comes as Congress struggles to reach an agreement on funding the government.
U.S. District Judge Richard Leon issued a temporary restraining order blocking the layoffs until further notice. The ruling is seen as a victory for workers who have been impacted by the ongoing partial government shutdown.
"This is a huge relief for our members," said J. David Cox, president of the American Federation of Government Employees. "We're grateful to the court for recognizing the harm that these layoffs would cause."
The shutdown has now entered its 27th day, with no end in sight. The White House and Congress remain deadlocked over funding for a border wall, with Democrats refusing to budge on the issue.
As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the stakes are high, and the consequences of failure could be severe.
*Reporting by Npr.*
