
The President's Daily Brief PDB Afternoon Bulletin | January 29th, 2026: CIA Launches New Venezuela Operation & EU Terror Listing for Iran’s IRGC
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Jan 29, 2026 A look at U.S. intelligence stepping back into post‑Maduro Venezuela with a new operational presence. Discussion of intelligence-led early transition work and concerns about foreign influence. Coverage of the EU officially designating Iran’s IRGC as a terrorist organization and the regional security implications that follow.
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CIA Leads U.S. Return To Venezuela
- The CIA is leading America's early return to Venezuela by building a small intelligence foothold before diplomats follow.
- Intelligence will shape relationships, assess power dynamics, and manage sensitive threat briefings with new Venezuelan leaders.
Intelligence Will Drive Threat Discussions
- U.S. briefings with Venezuela's interim leadership will focus on external threats like China, Russia, Cuba, and Iran.
- Those conversations are intended to be led by intelligence professionals rather than diplomats due to sensitivity.
Pre-Operation CIA Presence In Venezuela
- CIA officers had been operating inside Venezuela months before Maduro's capture to track his movements.
- A small team and a source inside the government aided those tracking and shaped U.S. decisions on backing the interim leadership.
