09 Nov Policy under pressure: America’s shifting strategy in Venezuela

Leonor Mellado Mannaerts 

International Policy Review – Policy of the Month

On October 15th, 2025, Donald Trump confirmed his authorization for the C.I.A. to conduct covert operations in Venezuela with the larger goal of building a campaign against the authoritarian leader, Nicolas Maduro. Prior to this announcement, the US Navy had launched six strikes in Venezuelan waters since September, targeting alleged drug-smuggling vessels and leaving 27 people dead. The US government has yet to provide evidence of the presence of narcotics and has consequently been criticised by the Human Rights Watch about the legitimacy of these strikes on boats that did not engage in armed conflict. These developments point towards a drastic change in policy approach towards Venezuela amid Trump’s second presidency. This essay examines the evolution of US-Venezuelan policy relations that historically were governed by economic sanctions and diplomatic isolation, which have escalated to direct military and covert operations. This new interventionist foreign policy reflects a larger pattern of change in the political climate of the United States and raises important questions about the repercussions on Venezuelan sovereignty and future regional stability.

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