Venezuelan Defense Minister Acknowledges CIA Operates In The Country: 'Wherever There's a U.S. Embassy'

Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez claimed the CIA is already operating in the country as the Trump administration ramps up its pressure campaign, which different reports have claimed seek to ultimately oust the Venezuelan regime.

"We know the CIA is present not only in Venezuela but all around the world where there is a U.S. embassy. From here and with humility we say that all actions we are taking seek to avoid and counter the military threat deployed in the Caribbean against the region and to protect any act of destabilization," Padrino Lopez said.

Trump confirmed last week reports that he had authorized the CIA to conduct lethal operations in the country. Moreover, the agency is reportedly providing the bulk of the information used by the administration to conduct strikes off the Venezuelan coast, ensuring that most of the evidence to justify the moves will remain secret.

Citing three sources familiar with the operations, The Guardian noted that the CIA's role in the operations has not been previously disclosed. It added that the agency is providing real-time intelligence collected by satellites and signal intercepts to detect which are carrying drugs.

All information gathered about vessels and those operating them are likely to remain classified, the outlet noted. A spokesperson for the CIA declined to comment and referred all questions to the Pentagon. Another spokesperson for the Defense Department said that "due to operational security, we do not talk about matters of intelligence."