On September 26, 2018, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro stood before the podium of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where his political position in his country was rapidly deteriorating. Venezuela was experiencing mass protests against his government, along with a crippling economic crisis due to hyperinflation, leading to the displacement of over a million Venezuelans, which increased the pressures on his regime. Maduro’s accusation of the United States of launching a permanent aggression against his country coincided with the previous U.S. administration’s pledge to weaken his power. As the crisis escalated, matters took another turn after secret efforts by the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to overthrow Maduro were revealed, highlighting the tensions between U.S. foreign policy and the covert tools used to implement it. In this article, we unveil the details of those covert operations driven by an internal division on how to direct U.S. efforts in Venezuela, how prominent figures in the Trump administration contributed to shaping the course of this campaign, and what it could mean for the future of the country and American policies in Latin America.
The Political Situation in Venezuela Before the UN General Assembly
On September 26, 2018, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro stood at the podium of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Maduro faced unique challenges during his rule as the political and economic conditions in the country deteriorated significantly. Venezuelans were suffering from extreme inflation despite the country having vast reserves of gold and oil. This led to widespread protests against the government and the flight of over a million of them to other countries in the region, creating a refugee crisis.
Maduro won the last presidential elections, which raised questions about their integrity, and he was facing increasing internal pressures. On the other hand, the administration of President Donald Trump was actively seeking to remove Maduro from power, viewing him as a threat to U.S. policies in the region. Concurrently, there were attempts by other governments in Latin America to pressure Maduro through sanctions and political pressure.
Upon arriving at the General Assembly, Maduro felt an urgent need to defend himself and his government while criticizing the United States, which he blamed for the problems facing Venezuela. He also referred to the failed assassination attempt he faced, citing an alleged conspiracy from the United States. All of this reflected a state of tension and political congestion that exacerbated the situation in the country.
U.S. Diplomatic Escalation and Sanctions
After Maduro’s speech at the General Assembly, the Trump administration decided to escalate its efforts to isolate Maduro and impose further sanctions on him and his close circle. Economic sanctions were part of a strategy aimed at undermining Maduro’s ability to remain in power and tightening the noose around his financial resources. The measures did not stop at the level of sanctions but extended to more complex covert schemes executed by the CIA with the aim of overthrowing Maduro.
The CIA faced significant challenges in directing such operations, as they needed to align with broader political issues addressed by American foreign policy. The agency was restructured to be part of a larger effort to oust the Venezuelan government, reflecting the Trump administration’s hostile policy towards leftist regimes in Latin America. There was a general sentiment that the move against Maduro was necessary to restore stability in the country and return to democracy, but the situation felt more like a complex chess game than a straightforward plan to seize power.
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increased concern within the U.S. administration that Maduro’s situation has heightened the risk of humanitarian crises, prompting efforts to rally other countries to join the coalition against the Venezuelan regime. Trump’s emphasis on sanctions and his recognition of the divided Venezuelan opposition clouded the political landscape and raised the hopes of many Venezuelans that there would be a way out of the current crises.
The Covert Campaign to Overthrow Maduro and Its Challenges
The CIA established a special task force for Venezuela in early 2019, with the plan aimed at exploiting the vulnerabilities of the Venezuelan regime to bolster the opposition’s position. The focus began to shift towards launching cyberattacks targeting critical infrastructure such as the military payroll system, which is seen as a direct blow to Maduro’s support from the military.
However, the covert campaign faced immense challenges. The agency needed to build new resources, and there was a reluctance from some factions within the government to provide military resources such as breach units from the NSA. This failure to allocate the necessary resources for the intended mission slowed down the planning and execution process, consequently affecting the effectiveness of the campaign as a whole.
The CIA ultimately succeeded in executing a cyberattack to disrupt the payroll management system, resulting in the withholding of salaries from Venezuelan soldiers for a specified period. The goal of this attack was to increase discontent and dissatisfaction among the armed forces, thereby undermining their support for Maduro. Despite some success in this regard, the outcomes were not as hoped, as there was no significant change on the ground as a result of these covert operations.
Tensions Between the U.S. Administration and the CIA
During the period of covert operations against Maduro, clear tensions emerged between the Trump administration and the CIA. The agency’s administrative structure often did not align with the aggressive tactics dictated by the administration, leading to clashes within the government. There was internal concern that the Trump administration’s actions could lead to adverse consequences on both regional and global levels.
These diverging approaches and lack of policy cohesion between the State Department and the CIA complicated the effort to overthrow Maduro. While Trump promoted ideas of immediate attack, the agency took a more cautious approach, which diminished the momentum of the efforts and resulted in uncertainty about how to proceed.
This dynamic embodies the challenges governments face when trying to engage in covert operations, especially when clashing with political aspects tied to civil conflicts. This experience carries multiple lessons that must be considered by any future administration attempting to implement radical policies abroad.
U.S. Intervention in Venezuela: Goals and Practices
The United States’ strategy towards Venezuela reflects an increasing desire to influence the political landscape in the country, especially amid growing economic and social crises. This strategy began with a series of plans primarily aimed at overthrowing President Nicolás Maduro, a symbol of socialist rule in Venezuela. The U.S. administration, under Donald Trump, embarked on seeking more effective means to influence Maduro through a range of options from economic sanctions to support for armed opposition.
Among the tactics considered was the idea of targeting oil shipments to Cuba, as some U.S. officials believed that cutting these shipments would deliver a severe blow to both the Venezuelan and Cuban regimes. During that period, meetings were held with military experts to devise plans for sabotage operations that could disrupt these shipments. Among the options proposed was the use of covert CIA methods to target Venezuelan fuel tankers; however, the administration backed away from this option due to a lack of appropriate capabilities.
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tensions within the Trump administration regarding how to handle the crisis, as there were divisions between the hardline team led by John Bolton and some officials in the Department of Defense and intelligence. While some were calling for more severe intervention, others were hesitant about the presence of any American troops on the ground. These divisions reflected the difficulties faced by the U.S. administration in its strategy towards Venezuela.
Colombia’s cooperation with U.S. officials is an important point in this conflict, as Colombia engaged in sabotage operations against the Venezuelan air force with the help of American intelligence. Although the operation was not entirely successful, it demonstrated the shared goal of overthrowing Maduro’s regime, which complicates relations between the countries that have an influence on the Venezuelan scene.
Plans and Internal Disputes: The Failure of the Attempt
The internal crises in Venezuela make it difficult for the opposition to unite, leading to a negative impact on the efforts to overthrow Maduro. There was a belief that the opposition under Juan Guaido would be able to make significant progress in ousting the president, but events proved otherwise. After several timid attempts, the opposition announced the “Operation Freedom” in April 2019, but this operation was surrounded by a series of strategic mistakes and poor planning that led to counterproductive results.
The distrust between Venezuelan officials and foreign-backed entities increased, leading to a retreat in resistance against the government. The operation was marred by instances of disorganization and inability to muster forces, allowing Maduro to maintain a stronger grip on power. U.S. intelligence analysis indicated that the opposition lacked a unified vision, which weakened their attempts.
The divisions within the opposition had dire consequences, as Guaido failed to rally the necessary support from military forces, contributing to Maduro’s continued hold on power. Accordingly, the plans laid out for the so-called “day after,” which aimed to provide financial support to the Venezuelan people post-Maduro, resulted in further failure. Although the idea looked good on paper, it was far from practical reality, as the administration failed to motivate the international community to provide the needed support.
Biden Administration’s Directions: New Policies in a Changing Context
When power transitioned to Joe Biden, foreign policy towards Venezuela took new directions. Amid rising oil prices and an escalating humanitarian crisis, the administration began rethinking its strategy. Instead of the severe economic pressures imposed during Trump’s tenure, the administration started exploring ways to negotiate with Maduro, contingent upon organizing free elections and repatriating Venezuelan refugees.
Despite the efforts made, Maduro showed no commitment to this path. Instead, he dismissed any possibility of benefiting from political deception, which reinforced his position. As such, there was expression of discontent regarding Maduro’s lack of compliance with the terms of the agreement. Shortly thereafter, the administration announced the revival of imposed sanctions, reflecting a sudden shift in U.S.-Venezuelan relations.
The new U.S. administration’s policies are translated as an attempt to reduce the influence of Russia and China in the region, while maintaining principles of democracy and human rights. Although the efforts were not enough to change the political landscape, they reflect a continued U.S. commitment, despite the significant challenges posed by increasing authoritarianism within Venezuela.
Future Prospects: Potential Effects of Previous Interventions
Despite the current situation in Venezuela, there is hope that the previous intelligence operations carried out by the U.S. during the Trump administration will enhance American intelligence capabilities in monitoring developments in Venezuela. Some former officials point out that past activities have provided a deeper understanding of the governmental and technical apparatus in the country, which could contribute to improving the effectiveness of any future interventions.
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On another front, the recurring pattern of failure to achieve direct change in the Venezuelan system raises questions about the future of American policy. The United States faces complex challenges related to political shifts and international relations in the context of defending democracy, which is demanded by the current generations of Venezuelans. It is imperative for the American administration to adopt a flexible and comprehensive approach that allows for interaction with all parties, including those defending human rights.
The security and economic situation in Venezuela remains volatile. There is hope that international efforts in collaboration with humanitarian organizations will lead to a real improvement in social and living conditions with aid and the alleviation of political tensions. While the coming times may be filled with challenges, they can also present opportunities to enhance the true practices of democracy at the heart of Latin America.
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