By John Q. Hosedrinker 
President Donald Trump has confirmed he authorized the CIA to conduct covert operations within Venezuela, citing concerns over drug trafficking and the release of prisoners into the U.S. This acknowledgment follows recent U.S. military strikes in the Caribbean against alleged drug smuggling boats, some originating from Venezuela. The administration is also considering potential land operations and has declared drug cartels to be unlawful combatants. This has drawn criticism, with Venezuela condemning the actions and some U.S. lawmakers raising concerns about the administration’s escalation without Congressional authorization.
Read the original article here
Trump confirms CIA conducting covert operations inside Venezuela, and the immediate thought that springs to mind is, well, it’s not exactly a secret anymore, is it? It’s almost comical. He seemingly thinks he’s being clever, giving up the country’s name but not the specifics. It’s like he’s playing a game of “almost, but not quite.” I can’t help but wonder if he even understands the implications of what he’s saying. He campaigned on ending wars and now this…
It’s clear that this admission, whether intentional or not, is a serious blunder. The whole point of covert operations is, you know, to be *covert*. The primary concern here, and rightly so, is the safety of the operatives involved. This sort of loose-lipped behavior puts them directly in harm’s way. This isn’t about some elaborate strategic play; it’s about a lack of discretion, and frankly, a lack of regard for the people involved.
Remember the fallout from the Valerie Plame scandal? This could be similar in its implications. And the fact that this is something that’s now public knowledge, rather than being revealed long after any such operations may have happened, is simply stunning. It’s the opposite of what’s expected of a leader, let alone one supposedly overseeing intelligence operations. It really is like he couldn’t help himself.
This brings up a number of uncomfortable questions. What exactly are these covert operations? What is their goal? And what are the potential consequences? If other nations did anything similar, it would likely be condemned as state-sponsored terrorism, but, of course, the US is above all that, right? And what happens now? The CIA operatives, now exposed, are in a far more dangerous position than they were before.
It’s almost as if he’s watched “Clear and Present Danger” and thought, “Hey, I can do that!” He doesn’t seem to have an original thought, and his actions suggest he’s eager to start some sort of illegal war, without any real backing. There’s a certain irony in all this, too. He was supposed to be the “peace president.” Instead, the US might be starting an undeclared war in Venezuela, without congressional approval.
This isn’t just about Venezuela, it’s about a wider pattern. It’s about what has become “normal” in this political climate. It’s a sad reality that this kind of behavior is just to be expected from the current political climate. The details of these operations, whatever they are, are now compromised. The secrecy is gone. His need for attention, and his compulsion to share secrets, has once again undermined national security, putting people’s lives at risk.
The irony is that these operations are rarely the stuff of Hollywood action movies. More often than not, they involve things like funding local groups or paying people. So the notion that some operatives are running around in combat is likely incorrect. It often involves things as simple as paying off people inside the country. But even that can be compromised when the President confirms them.
It’s the kind of thing that makes you wonder how anyone with a modicum of awareness ever voted for this individual. It’s a fundamental failure to understand the basics of national security, and it’s a profound betrayal of the people who are risking their lives to serve. How could anyone be surprised that he would leak this information? That’s his brand, right? The man with a knack for blowing the lid off of things he shouldn’t be discussing.
And it brings up the question of what else is going on, what else we don’t know about. The fact that the man with no impulse control is in charge of this kind of work is alarming. This should be a reminder to us all that the best intelligence operations are the ones that never see the light of day. But it seems this one has been exposed. It’s just another example of his utter disregard for operational security. Now, those involved are exposed, and their lives may be in danger. He has put a target on their backs, all because he couldn’t keep his mouth shut.