A recently revealed secret memo has exposed a covert operation conducted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) targeting high-ranking Venezuelan officials and their alleged involvement in drug trafficking. This revelation threatens to exacerbate the already tense relationship between the United States and Venezuela, shedding light on a clandestine operation with significant legal implications.
Known as “Operation Money Badger,” this undercover initiative was launched in 2018. Its primary objective was to infiltrate Venezuela with undercover DEA operatives who would secretly gather evidence related to drug trafficking and other illicit activities, potentially implicating top Venezuelan officials. However, what sets this operation apart is that it was conducted without notifying Venezuelan authorities, raising serious concerns about its compliance with international law.
The 15-page memo obtained by The Associated Press explicitly acknowledged that the operation was to be conducted unilaterally and without notifying Venezuelan officials. This admission has sparked a debate over the operation’s legality under international law. Such covert actions in foreign territories without host country consent are often seen as violations of sovereignty and can lead to diplomatic tensions and objections.
Among the notable targets of “Operation Money Badger” was Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, as well as some of his closest allies. The DEA aimed to gather sufficient evidence against these officials to build criminal cases. The memo emphasized the need for secrecy, warning of potential risks to confidential sources, including imprisonment if their cooperation with the DEA were exposed.
Despite the revelations, there is no clear mechanism to legally hold the United States accountable for such actions. International law experts contend that this covert operation could lead to objections and potentially impact diplomatic relations. The release of the memo has also ignited discussions about the extent to which the U.S. is willing to go to combat drug trafficking, especially in countries like Venezuela.
Under the Biden administration, the U.S. has shifted its priorities away from targeting Maduro and his associates. Instead, it has focused on rolling back sanctions and pursuing negotiations with the Venezuelan government. The fate of “Operation Money Badger” remains uncertain in this evolving landscape.
The accidental disclosure of the memo occurred during a bribery trial in the United States. Former DEA supervisors faced charges related to leaking sensitive law enforcement information, including details of the operation. The memo was subsequently sealed by the presiding judge, citing concerns about potential diplomatic repercussions.
While “Operation Money Badger” targeted high-profile Venezuelan officials, many of them remain in their home country and are unlikely to face justice in the U.S. unless they leave Venezuela. This raises questions about the overall effectiveness and impact of such covert programs and their ability to achieve their intended objectives.
As the details of this operation continue to emerge, it will be interesting to see how it impacts U.S.-Venezuela relations and the broader debate surrounding the ethics and legality of conducting covert operations in foreign territories without host country consent.