Venezuela's authoritarian President Nicolas Maduro claimed that Donald Trump has ordered the CIA to "attack" the South American country as pressure mounts to oust him from power.
Maduro referenced a New York Times report, confirmed by Trump, which stated that the CIA is authorized to conduct lethal covert operations in Venezuela and potentially elsewhere in the Caribbean.
The ultimate goal of the escalation is removing Maduro from power.
Maduro discussed this development during a televised address, stating that "for the first time in history" a U.S. president has taken such action.
Author's summary: Maduro accuses Trump of ordering CIA attack on Venezuela.