By Nandita Bose
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed reports on Wednesday that he authorized the CIA to conduct covert operations in Venezuela, marking a sharp escalation in U.S. efforts to pressure President Nicolas Maduro's government.
The New York Times first reported the classified directive, citing U.S. officials familiar with the decision.
Trump said he authorized the action because large amounts of drugs were entering the United States from Venezuela, much of it trafficked
by sea.
"We are looking at land now, because we've got the sea very well under control," Trump said.
Trump was asked why he did not have the Coast Guard stop suspected drug trafficking boats, which has been U.S. practice for decades. Trump called such efforts "politically correct" and said they had not worked.
"I think Venezuela is feeling heat," Trump said, although he declined to answer when asked if the CIA has the authority to execute Maduro.
Trump also accused Venezuela of releasing large numbers of prisoners, including individuals from mental health facilities, into the United States, although he did not specify which border they were crossing.
Neither Maduro's Information Ministry nor press representatives for opposition leader Maria Corina Machado immediately responded to requests for comment on Trump's remarks.
(Reporting By Nandita Bose and Jarrett Renshaw; Writing by Patricia Zengerle; Editing by Mark Porter, Rod Nickel)
