STORY: U.S. President Donald Trump thinks that Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro is an "illegitimate president, leading an illegitimate regime", White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Thursday (October 16).

On Wednesday (October 15), Trump disclosed he had authorized the Central Intelligence Agency to conduct covert operations inside Venezuela, adding to speculation in Caracas that the United States is attempting to topple Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

VIDEO SHOWS: SOUNDBITE FROM WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY KAROLINE LEAVITT/

RESENDING WITH COMPLETE STORY.

SHOWS: WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES (OCTOBER 16, 2025)(U.S. NETWORK POOL - No use USA)

1. (SOUNDBITE)(English) WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY, KAROLINE LEAVITT, SAYING:

REPORTER ASKING OFF CAMERA: "Nicolas Maduro - does President Trump believe Nicolas Maduro, the president of Venezuela, does President Trump believe his days are numbered there?"

LEAVITT: "I think President Trump believes that Nicolas Maduro is an illegitimate president, leading an illegitimate regime that has been trafficking drugs to the United States of America for far too long. And we're not going to tolerate it."