President Donald Trump announced that the US has targeted a facility in Venezuela, representing a notable escalation in efforts against alleged drug trafficking in the region. Trump confirmed that a significant explosion occurred in the docks, where drug shipments are loaded, during a press briefing, reinforcing earlier statements made last week.
This marks a historic moment, as it is the first acknowledged land strike by the US within Venezuela. The Trump administration has intensified pressure on Nicolás Maduro’s government by conducting airstrikes on vessels and establishing blockades to hinder the nation’s oil exports. The Venezuelan government, however, has not publicly commented on Trump’s statements, which is atypical considering their typically assertive responses to US interventions in the Caribbean over the past few months.
In a recent radio interview, Trump indicated he had spoken with Maduro recently but deemed the conversation unproductive. He claimed that an operation targeting a significant facility had taken place around Christmas, emphasizing that the US has “hit them very hard.” For weeks, Trump has signaled his willingness to expand military operations to encompass land targets in Venezuela.
