President Donald Trump declined to say whether he has authorized the CIA to “take out” Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, calling the question “ridiculous” during a press conference on October 15, 2025.

When asked directly by a reporter, “Does the CIA have authority to take out Maduro?” Trump replied, “Oh, I don’t want to answer a question like that. That’s a ridiculous question for me to be given.”

While the president refused to confirm or deny any specific covert plans, he did acknowledge granting the CIA broader authority to conduct operations in Venezuela, citing the nation’s ongoing instability and its alleged role in sending criminals into the United States.

“Venezuela has emptied their prisons into the United States,” Trump said, referencing recent reports that individuals released from Venezuelan jails had been caught crossing the U.S. border.

The exchange has fueled speculation about Washington’s intelligence activities in Latin America, as the administration continues to tighten sanctions and intensify pressure on Maduro’s socialist government.

Analysts note that Trump’s evasive response may be an effort to maintain strategic ambiguity, a common practice in intelligence and foreign affairs. However, the remark has also reignited debate over the limits of U.S. covert action and the legality of targeting foreign leaders.