CIA to Build "Headquarters" in Venezuela

JAKARTA - The United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is secretly said to be trying to establish a permanent US presence in Venezuela to influence the country's future.

The report said the CIA and the US State Department were coordinating on the form of US activities in Venezuela, both in the short and long term. The State Department is expected to be the long-term diplomatic representation of the US in the country.

Prior to the official opening of the embassy, the administration of President Donald Trump will likely rely on the CIA's branch office to initiate the re-entry process and establish informal contacts with members of various Venezuelan political factions.

The source also said the CIA could provide briefings to Venezuelan officials on US intelligence on parties considered opponents, such as China, Russia, and Iran.

"Establishing a branch office is a top priority. Before the diplomatic channel is opened, the branch office can help build a liaison channel, which will be done with Venezuelan intelligence, and it allows for conversations that diplomats cannot do," a former US government official who knows the plan said, as quoted by CNN.

On January 3, the US launched a massive attack on Venezuela and arrested President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, then took the two to New York. According to US authorities, the two are suspected of being involved in a "narco-terrorism" case.

In a hearing in a New York court, Maduro and Flores pleaded not guilty to all charges. The Venezuelan government then requested an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council regarding the US operation.

The Supreme Court of Venezuela then temporarily transferred the duties of the head of state to Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, who was officially inaugurated as interim president in front of the National Assembly on January 5.