The government of Venezuela’s socialist dictator Nicolás Maduro claimed in a Sunday statement that it captured an alleged “mercenary group” with “direct information” from the CIA. The statement from Maduro’s Vice President Delcy Rodríguez accused the alleged group of planning a “false flag operation” from around nearby Trinidad and Tobago and accused the small island nation of performing ongoing “military exercises” under “the coordination,

President Donald Trump has confirmed CIA operations in Venezuela, intensifying pressure on President Nicolás Maduro’s government. The acknowledgment drew pushback from human rights organizations, who warned of possible violations of international law.

Venezuelan president condemns US aggression as Trump confirms he authorised the CIA to operate in Venezuela and considers strikes against alleged drug cartels.

Venezuelan government officials floated a plan in which President Nicolás Maduro would eventually leave office, a bid aimed at easing mounting U.S. pressure on the government in Caracas.

Tensions in the Caribbean spiked after Venezuela announced that its security forces had captured what it described as a “mercenary group” allegedly connected to the United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

Venezuela suspends all gas deals with Trinidad and Tobago as Maduro accuses the U.S. and CIA of plotting war in the Caribbean, following the arrival of U.S. Marines for military drills. In a fiery address,