CIA Quietly Building Permanent US Footprint In Venezuela

The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is quietly laying the groundwork for a sustained U.S. presence and intelligence infrastructure inside Venezuela as part of the Trump administration’s efforts in the country after the capture of former President Nicolás Maduro, CNN reported Tuesday.

Behind the scenes, officials from the CIA and the State Department have been discussing what America’s footprint inside Venezuela should look like in both the immediate aftermath of Maduro’s removal and over the long term, the outlet reported. While the State Department is expected to serve as the official diplomatic face of the U.S. in Venezuela, sources told the outlet that the intelligence agency will be relied upon heavily in the early stages of the country’s political transition.

“State plants the flag but CIA is really the influence,” one source familiar with the planning process told CNN, noting the agency’s near-term mission includes preparing the groundwork for formal diplomacy, providing security and cultivating relationships with key power brokers.

CIA involvement in Venezuela predates Maduro’s Jan. 3 capture. In August, a covert team was inserted to monitor Maduro’s movements and routines, which proved critical to the operation that led to his capture.

Moreover, the administration’s decision to back Maduro’s then-vice president, Delcy Rodríguez, rather than opposition leader