On Wednesday (the 15th), President Donald Trump stated that the U.S. is "looking at the territory" of Venezuela as part of its efforts to crack down on drug cartels. Following the destruction of six drug-smuggling vessels, the Trump administration announced it is considering targeting Venezuela-based drug organizations on land.

Speaking to reporters from the Oval Office, President Trump said, "We have the seas covered, so we are now certainly looking at the land," adding, "We haven't been able to find any boats for a few days."

Regarding the strikes on Venezuelan drug vessels, he remarked, "Every boat we destroy saves 25,000 American lives."

So far, 27 "narcoterrorists" have been killed in the strikes against the six drug-smuggling vessels.

President Trump was also questioned that morning regarding a New York Times report claiming he had authorized the CIA to conduct operations inside Venezuela. The NYT reported that, by order of President Trump, the CIA is now permitted to carry out lethal operations within Venezuela.

Since launching the bombing campaign against Venezuelan vessels on September 2, President Trump has threatened to expand the counter-narcotics military operations to land-based targets.

The President confirmed on Wednesday that he had authorized the CIA to secretly conduct anti-government operations within the South American nation.

President Trump stated, "There are two reasons I authorized it. First, they emptied their prisons and sent them across the U.S. border. A lot of drugs are coming in from Venezuela, and a lot are coming in by sea. But we will also stop them by land."

According to the NYT, the ultimate goal is to oust authoritarian leader Nicolás Maduro from power. However, President Trump declined to comment on whether he had granted such authority to the CIA.

He said, "Isn't that a ridiculous question for me to answer? But I think Venezuela is under pressure... I won't stand by and let our country be ruined just because others are trying to initialize, as you say, the worst-case scenario. We will not accept them."

Previously, the U.S. military flew three B-52 bombers in the waters off the coast of Venezuela in an apparent show of force.

U.S. NNP = Representative Reporter Hong Sung-goo / NNP Special Correspondent info@newsandpost.com