CIA providing 'most intelligence' for strikes on boats in Caribbean

The CIA is providing the bulk of the intelligence used to carry out lethal airstrikes in the Caribbean against small boats suspected of carrying drugs to the US from Venezuela, according to three sources familiar with the operations.

- Aram Roston

Experts say the agency’s role means much of the evidence used to select which alleged smugglers to kill on the open sea will almost certainly remain secret.

The CIA’s role in the strikes has not previously been disclosed. Donald Trump confirmed last Wednesday that he had authorised covert CIA action in Venezuela, but did not say what the agency would be doing.

The sources say the CIA is providing real-time intelligence collected by satellites and signal intercepts to detect which boats it believes are loaded with drugs, tracking their routes and making recommendations about which vessels should be hit by missiles.