Venezuela Accuses CIA of Plotting False-Flag Attack in Caribbean

On October 27, 2025, Venezuelan authorities announced the capture of individuals they allege are mercenaries linked to the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), accusing them of planning a false-flag operation intended to attack a U.S. military vessel near Trinidad and Tobago. The Venezuelan government claims this operation aimed to attribute the attack to Venezuela, potentially justifying military intervention.

Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez stated that a "criminal cell financed by the CIA" was dismantled within Venezuelan territory. She warned that the operation followed the "same imperial script as the Maine and the Gulf of Tonkin," historical events often cited as pretexts for war, aiming to "fabricate a conflict to impose interests that are foreign to our region."

The U.S. government dismissed these allegations as "disinformation from a collapsing regime desperate to distract from its criminal activities." Trinidad and Tobago has not publicly responded to Venezuela's claims.

The allegations come amid increased U.S. military presence in the Caribbean. On October 15, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed that he had authorized the CIA to conduct covert operations within Venezuela, citing the country's alleged role in facilitating drug trafficking. This was followed by the deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford, the world's largest aircraft carrier, to the region. The Pentagon stated that the move aimed to counter narco-terrorism and dismantle transnational criminal organizations threatening U.S. and hemispheric security.

Additionally, the U.S. has conducted airstrikes on vessels in the Caribbean Sea, resulting in at least 43 deaths. These actions have been justified by the U.S. as targeting drug traffickers but have been criticized for lacking legal authorization and potentially escalating into an undeclared war.

Venezuelan officials have drawn parallels between the alleged plot and historical incidents such as the USS Maine explosion in 1898 and the Gulf of Tonkin incident in 1964, both of which served as pretexts for U.S. military interventions. They argue that the current situation could be a similar attempt to justify aggression against Venezuela.

The escalating tensions have raised concerns about the potential for military conflict in the Caribbean region. Critics warn that the U.S. actions could lead to a covert regime change, contradicting previous criticisms of U.S. military interventions.

As the situation develops, the international community remains watchful, emphasizing the need for diplomatic solutions to prevent further escalation and ensure regional stability.