The CIA is secretly working to establish a permanent presence in Venezuela, part of the Trump administration's plan to reshape the country's future after the ouster of Nicolas Maduro.
The goal is to strengthen American influence and prepare for the reestablishment of a diplomatic presence in Caracas.
According to CNN, the CIA, in collaboration with the US State Department, is working to shape Washington's strategic presence in Venezuela following the political transition triggered by Maduro's arrest earlier this month.
The discussion focuses on both the short-term and long-term strategy for restoring American influence in the country, despite the challenges that may arise due to political uncertainty and security issues.
According to officials familiar with the situation, the CIA will play a critical role in the early stages of the process, while the State Department will take on the long-term diplomatic role.
The CIA's Role in Restoring Security and Diplomacy
U.S. officials believe the CIA will play a key role in restoring diplomatic relations and strengthening security in Venezuela. While the State Department will remain the main actor of the long-term diplomatic presence, the CIA will take more immediate and flexible action.
In the short term, officials could operate from a CIA branch before a formal embassy opens, allowing them to initiate informal contacts with members of various factions of the Venezuelan government, as well as opposition figures and third parties who could pose a threat, the sources told CNN, drawing parallels with the agency's work in Ukraine.
A former US administration official said that setting up a CIA branch in Caracas is the "first priority" before official diplomatic channels of communication are restored.
The CIA's role in Maduro's capture
The CIA played a critical role in the operation to capture Nicolás Maduro, establishing a small team inside Venezuela for months before the operation.
This team monitored the movements of the country's former leader and helped make the operation successful. The CIA also recruited a source within the Venezuelan government who helped monitor Maduro before his capture.
The Trump administration's policy decision to support interim president Delcy Rodriguez over opposition leader María Machado was influenced by a secret CIA analysis of the short-term implications of Maduro's departure.
Plans to restore diplomatic presence in Venezuela
The Trump administration is considering a timeline and steps to reopen the US embassy in Caracas, which was evacuated in 2019.
The US has sent a team of diplomats and security experts to the city to conduct an initial assessment and begin the process of gradually reopening operations.
Despite the difficulties, the US government continues to show interest in restoring its diplomatic presence and strengthening its relations with Venezuela's new leadership.
Security remains uncertain and is a key factor that will determine the speed at which diplomatic and strategic processes in the country will resume.
In this context, the CIA is expected to play a crucial role, as American diplomats are usually not trained to protect themselves, making the Intelligence Agency's presence even more important.
