🔗 Share this article US Military Struck a 'Large Facility' in Venezuela, Trump Asserted Without Offering Specifics. Former President Donald Trump has stated that US military assets hit a "large installation" in the South American country last week. Yet, the former president withheld information about the exact nature or location of the strike, and there has been no further clarification from his administration. Vague Remarks Made In a Radio Interview "We just destroyed – I don't know if you saw – they have a major complex, where the ships originate. Two nights ago, we took it out. So we targeted them with significant force," Trump allegedly informed GOP supporter and businessman John Catsimatidis on Friday. Potential Implications of a Confirmed Strike Should a American military action is confirmed, it would represent the initial attack on Venezuelan soil since the Pentagon began a buildup of US strike forces in the Caribbean region to interdict drug traffickers that the former administration claims operate under the orders of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. This original purpose of the military buildup has evolved into a quarantine aimed at stopping the nation's crude oil shipments. Online Video and Official Claims Trump has for some time indicated that US forces are ready to expand the military campaign by hitting targets inside Venezuela, a move that would theoretically require congressional authorization. A clip circulated online on 24 December seemed to depict an detonation allegedly from an industrial zone in a Venezuelan state. Yet, the footage or the facility has not been corroborated. An source reportedly told a media outlet that the former president was describing a drug facility in his comments. Reaction and Current Strategic Posture The Maduro government has not commented on the event Trump referenced. Additionally, there have been no independent reports from within the country concerning it. The buildup of American forces in the region – a stance certain officials have called a naval quarantine – represents the broadest maritime enforcement action of Trump's presidency. Sources have avoided from calling the operation as a full blockade, but have stated that about 15,000 personnel are deployed across the Caribbean and the Gulf, including a carrier strike group, advanced fighter jets, and Coast Guard cutters to implement existing sanctions.