The Central Intelligence Agency is providing the majority of intelligence used in controversial US airstrikes against suspected drug-smuggling boats in the Caribbean, according to three sources familiar with the operations. The strikes, authorised by former President Donald Trump, target small, fast vessels believed to be carrying drugs from Venezuela.
The sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the CIA supplies real-time intelligence from satellites and signal intercepts to identify boats loaded with narcotics, track their routes, and recommend targets for missile strikes. One source described the agency as “the most important part” of the operation. Two sources confirmed that the drones or aircraft launching the missiles belong to the US military, not the CIA.
Experts note that the CIA’s central role means evidence used to select targets will likely remain classified, unlike information gathered by the Drug Enforcement Administration or Coast Guard, which is designed as legal evidence. Mark Lowenthal, a former CIA assistant director for analysis, said the agency does not produce evidence but intelligence, which is “not the same thing”. He added that CIA intelligence is intended to “never see the inside of a courtroom”.
So far, only brief, grainy videos of exploding boats have been released publicly by Trump or the Pentagon. A CIA spokesperson declined to comment, referring questions to the Pentagon, which cited operational security. The White House defended the strikes as actions against “designated narcoterrorists”.
Trump confirmed the covert CIA role in Venezuela last week but did not specify the agency’s activities. Since the first strike was announced on 3 September, the administration has publicly acknowledged six more, without disclosing target details beyond the number of people killed and allegations of drug trafficking.
