US President Donald Trump said he had authorised the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to take covert action in Venezuela, arguing that he had to stem the flow of drugs and illegal migrants into the US.

“I authorised it for two reasons,” Trump said at the White House, adding that Venezuelan leaders had “emptied their prisons into the United States of America” and “we have a lot of drugs coming in from Venezuela”.

Trump was asked about the issue after The New York Times reported earlier on Wednesday that he had authorised the CIA to take action as part of efforts to ratchet up pressure on President Nicolas Maduro.

According to the Times, the CIA would be empowered to take action against Maduro or his government, either directly or as part of a broader military operation.

Trump rebuffed a reporter who asked if the CIA had the authority to take out Maduro.

“Wouldn’t it be a ridiculous question for me to answer?” Trump said. “But I think Venezuela is feeling the heat.”