Recently, it was revealed that the administration of former President Donald Trump made covert efforts to overthrow Venezuela’s President Maduro using cyber attacks and promoting political changes within the country. In 2018, Trump imposed sanctions on Maduro’s regime and threw his support behind Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido, who declared himself interim president. Following this, the CIA embarked on a classified operation aimed at destabilizing the Maduro regime, which included launching a cyber attack on the military payment system.
In addition to cyber attacks, the opposition attempted to persuade supporters of Maduro to switch allegiance to Guaido. Sabotage operations targeting critical infrastructure were also carried out, but many of these operations failed. For instance, an attempt to sabotage tankers bound for Cuba, a key ally of Maduro, was unsuccessful. Disagreements between the Trump administration and the CIA hindered the planning and execution of these operations.
The peak of the covert operation was the Freedom operation in April 2019, when Guaido called on the military to defect en masse to the opposition. However, the military remained loyal to Maduro, with support from his inner circle and Cuban allies. The cyber attack on the military payment system only briefly affected troop loyalty. Unrealistic expectations from the CIA and limited resources also contributed to the campaign’s ineffectiveness. Differences between the administration’s leadership and the CIA’s cautious approach led to delays in taking necessary actions.
Following the departure of key supporter John Bolton, Trump’s administration intensified its efforts to assist the Venezuelan opposition. In 2023, President Joe Biden’s administration proposed easing sanctions in exchange for Maduro’s commitment to hold free elections. However, Maduro reneged on the agreement by barring key opposition candidates, sparking new protests and a wave of arrests.
Despite the unsuccessful attempts to influence a regime change in Venezuela, US intelligence agencies, particularly the CIA, have enhanced their cyber capabilities in the country. This development may prove crucial in future events in Venezuela. The use of cyber attacks to meddle in state affairs highlights the increasing importance of digital security in politics and international relations. The failed attempts to destabilize Venezuela through cyber warfare underscore the potential for such actions to lead to unforeseen consequences, heightened conflicts, and eroded trust between nations.