🔗 Share this article American Military Targeted a 'Major Plant' in Venezuela, Trump Claimed Without Providing Specifics. Former President Trump has stated that American military assets struck a "major installation" in Venezuela in recent days. But, the former president did not specify the exact nature or location of the target, and there has been no additional comment from his team. Unspecific Comments Offered During a Radio Interview "We just destroyed – I'm not sure if you heard – they have a major complex, where the ships originate. Two nights ago, we knocked that out. So we hit them very hard," Trump allegedly told GOP supporter and businessman John Catsimatidis in a recent interview. Possible Implications of a Confirmed Attack Should a US military action were to be confirmed, it would constitute the first ground target hit since the US Department of Defense initiated a expansion of American strike forces in the Caribbean region to interdict drug traffickers that the Trump administration alleges operate under the orders of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. The stated mission of the military buildup has evolved into a quarantine aimed at stopping the country's oil exports. Online Footage and Official Statements Trump has for weeks warned that US forces are prepared to escalate the operations by attacking objectives within Venezuela, a strategy that would in theory require legislative authorization. Online video posted online on 24 December seemed to depict an explosion reportedly from an industrial area in Zulia state. But, the footage or the site in question has not been confirmed by third parties. An source allegedly informed a media outlet that the president was describing a drug facility in his comments. Response and Current Strategic Posture The Caracas administration has issued no statement on the event the former president referenced. Additionally, there have been no independent reports from within the country concerning it. The buildup of US military in the area – a posture certain officials have termed a sea blockade – represents the largest maritime enforcement action of the Trump era. Officials have refrained from calling the action as a full blockade, but have acknowledged that approximately 15,000 service members are deployed across the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico, including a aircraft carrier group, advanced fighter jets, and law enforcement vessels to uphold current sanctions.