CIA aims to establish a permanent US presence in Venezuela to secure influence over the country's future. The Central Intelligence Agency is working with the State Department to set up short‑ and long‑term operations, including a covert annex that would precede an official embassy in Caracas. The plan, reportedly driven by former President Donald Trump, centers on capturing former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in January and pursuing legal action in New York. CIA officials, including Director John Ratcliffe, have been operating in Venezuela since August, reportedly using an inside source to track Maduro’s movements. The operation is intended to strengthen diplomatic ties, engage with opposition figures, and prepare for a potential diplomatic transition amid Venezuela’s unstable security situation.

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