Washington, Oct. 16 -- US President Donald Trump said Wednesday he has authorised the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to conduct covert operations in Venezuela, a move that was decried by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump accused Caracas of releasing prisoners and mental patients to illegally cross into the United States and of smuggling large volumes of narcotics.
"They have emptied their prisons into the United States of America" and "allowed thousands and thousands of prisoners" and "people from mental institutions, insane asylums," Trump accused, without offering evidence.
Asked whether he had authorized the CIA to kill Maduro, Trump refused to answer, saying, "I think Venezuela...